Coimbatore South MLA and BJP’s mahila morcha’s national president Vanathi Srinivasan, who is expected to contest the upcoming assembly polls, albeit from a different constituency, spoke on separate occasions to TNIE’s Subashini Vijayakumar and R Kirubakaran, where she responded to palpable discontent among a section of BJP cadres regarding seats allotted by AIADMK. She also spoke about why NDA is confident of winning the election and the impact of actor Vijay’s TVK. Edited Excerpts:
Congress has not proven its own vote bank in recent years. Yet, it got 28 seats in the DMK-led alliance. BJP, which secured 11% vote share in 2024 by leading an alliance, got only 27. Did BJP settle for fewer seats?
No party is ever fully satisfied with seat-sharing in an alliance. Everyone compromises for the larger interest. Ultimately, when the central leadership decides, we accept it, even if there is some disappointment.
Will such constraints in an alliance limit BJP’s growth in the state?
We don’t believe being in an alliance affects our identity or growth. It is only an electoral arrangement. Beyond that, the party’s expansion and grassroots work continue independently under our leadership.
There have been protests in places like Kinathukadavu and Palani demanding more seats for BJP. Are the cadres on the ground unhappy?
Cadres sometimes want to express their views. BJP is a disciplined party, and we take such concerns seriously. The leadership will address this discontent.
Why was BJP given only one seat in Coimbatore, where it has a significant presence?
It’s not just Coimbatore. There are districts like Salem, Tiruchy and Cuddalore where we haven’t got a single seat. These are part of the adjustments every party makes in an alliance. In our alliance, parties like PMK and AMMK have their own strongholds, so allocations are made accordingly.
DMK has brought together over 20 parties. There is a perception that the NDA has not been able to form a similarly broad alliance.
Anyone can list out numerous parties that exist only on letterhead, but what matters is who can actually win the election. NDA is strong enough to defeat DMK.
BJP has been criticising the DMK government on law and order and misgovernance. However, economic indicators suggest Tamil Nadu is performing well, and the state government maintains that crime rates have reduced
Even on the floor of the Assembly, ministers have acknowledged an increase in crimes against women, and multiple sets of data indicate a deterioration in law and order. DMK cannot claim credit for Tamil Nadu’s economic growth. Sectors like electronics have grown due to central initiatives such as production-linked incentives. Tamil Nadu has also had certain places with a strong industrial ecosystem for a long time. For example, Coimbatore has always been contributing more towards economic growth.
If a government led by AIADMK is formed, will BJP get a place in the cabinet?
Alliance, seat-sharing, and cabinet decisions are not made by the Tamil Nadu BJP because we are a national party. Important decisions are taken only by the party’s national leadership.
There are shortcomings you mentioned in the DMK regime, weren’t there some in the AIADMK’s regime too?
Issues like law and order problems and drug abuse that exist now were not as prevalent during the AIADMK rule. We have seen AIADMK taking disciplinary action in internal party matters. There is a general public opinion that law and order will be proper if AIADMK is in power.
What kind of impact will Vijay’s TVK have?
Whenever any actor comes to a public place, crowds gather for selfies. As someone who contested and defeated such a celebrity (Kamal Haasan), I know this well. There is no need to fear a cinema celebrity. They will continue to exist in Tamil Nadu politics, but people will decide who is suitable to rule them; ; I am the best example for it.