BJP and AIADMK relationships have been going through turbulence for a few months. They have been in the news for all the war of words going on between them. JP Nadda’s visit to Tamil Nadu on 10 March 2023 gave everyone an impression that the matter was settled. Social media has been abuzz with the news that Mr. Nadda had advised some key leaders in Tamil Nadu BJP to refrain themselves from any public spat with AIADMK. It looked like he had put the tension to rest by asserting that AIADMK will be the big brother party in Tamil Nadu and BJP will continue to work closely with them. To put it in fewer words, BJP – AIADMK alliance is there to stay. No confusion.
However, social media again was ripe with news in the last couple of days that Annamalai had spoken in a BJP internal meeting that his view as the on-ground leader of Tamil Nadu BJP is that BJP should go solo and if that doesn’t happen for any reason, he will be very happy to work as a normal karyakarta for the party. This made me sit up. A natural question came to my mind. Is everything okay between the top BJP leadership and Annamalai? However, I stopped my mind from wandering further by assuring it that K. Annamalai is doing something on the same lines like what Mr. Narendra Modi did in Gujarat in his earlier days and Mr. Modi will totally understand and appreciate Annamalai’s point of view. This is just some different views being aired within a democratic party.
Although I was not sure why Annamalai had to air his view openly in front of the karyakartas instead of talking to the top leadership and private and get them to agree to his views, I strongly believe that his opinion that BJP should go solo in TN for 2024 is absolutely correct. It’s time for BJP to try out something different now and break the status quo. We know that BJP has tried going solo earlier as well as going with various alliances but nothing big happened. However, taking the risk of going solo this time will pay great dividends as they have Annamalai this time leading from the front which was not the case earlier. BJP has to use the rising popularity of Annamalai to its best advantage and the time is RIGHT NOW. If it goes solo, BJP has a good chance to win atleast 5 to 6 seats in 2024 which they will get from the alliance with AIADMK as Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not going to give BJP more seats to contest anyways. Going solo has much more advantages. BJP can test themselves out in 2024 and expand their voter base in the state. They will look as a force to reckon with. Tamil Makkal like personalities that take up a challenge like the famous heroes in the movies. Annamalai has everything in him to deliver. This way, BJP can invite other smaller parties that are willing to fight under their leadership and will not be constrained by the alliance dharma. 2024 effort will give a great chance for BJP to grow exponentially and form a government in the near future. Annamalai is here to make a difference and if the party wants to be cautious and go with status quo, they don’t need an Annamalai to lead the effort.
Knowing Narendra Modi’s style, I am sure the BJP top brass has and will stand behind Annamalai 100% and give him a total free hand to run the party. If this is done, I am sure Annamalai will do to Tamil Nadu what Narendra Modi did to Gujarat. It will be just a matter of time. This will also send a strong message to those in Tamil Nadu BJP who are pulling in different directions to fall in line with Annamalai, the leader. I am sure Annamalai, given his IPS training, will also not take undue advantage of his popularity and be disloyal to the party leadership at any point in time. Tamil Nadu is ready for change and it’s now or never for BJP!
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