Solo TN Campaigns Mirror Disunity in BJP's 'Front'

Putting the cart before the horse, the BJP and its allies in the State launched their individual campaigns even before firming up the poll pact for the Lok Sabha elections. Such a disjointed exercise is something the State has never witnessed in the past.

Putting the cart before the horse, the BJP and its allies in the State launched their individual campaigns even before firming up the poll pact for the Lok Sabha elections. Such a disjointed exercise is something the State has never witnessed in the past.

After many false starts, the BJP is slated to formally announce its front on Thursday. But a week could be too late in politics, alliance partner DMDK led by actor-turned politico Vijayakant thought, since he launched electioneering last Friday, which was considered an auspicious date.

Two days later, the OBC-Vanniyar dominant PMK, having its support base in northern Tamil Nadu, hit the campaign trail, by announcing the candidature of the party founder’s son and former Union minister Dr Anbumani for the Dharmapuri seat. After announcing the names of party candidates at one or two places, Vijayakant sought a mandate for BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi irrespective of the local candidate, making it seem like a presidential contest.

For his part, Dr Ramadoss has been naming candidates even for constituencies that were yet to be settled within the alliance.

On Monday, the BJP started its campaign on from Virugampakkam, which falls within the South Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, where party veteran L Ganesan is all set to be fielded.

Difference of opinion among constituents of a political front at times resulting in some of them leaving the coalition is not uncommon during elections. But disjointed campaign is certainly a new trend in the State.

Now, the burden is on the BJP to show that the rainbow coalition it had sewed up, after much wrangling, stands united in purpose.

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The New Indian Express
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