Tamil Nadu Elections 2024: BJP Struggles to Repeat 2014 Victory Despite Annamalai Factor

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing challenges in the Tamil Nadu elections of 2024, struggling to replicate its single victory in 2014 despite the presence of key figures like Annamalai. The state, traditionally a tough battleground for the BJP, shows the DMK-led INDIA alliance leading in all 39 seats, including Puducherry.

In the past, the BJP managed a solitary win in 2014 when Pon Radhakrishnan emerged victorious in Kanniyakumari. However, by 2019, the party’s vote share had plummeted to 3.66 percent, indicating a declining trend.

The current scenario sees the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) struggling in the state. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an NDA ally, briefly held a lead in Dharmapuri, but the DMK’s A Mani swiftly regained the upper hand, taking a decisive lead of over 21,000 votes.

Notable NDA candidates, including Annamalai in Coimbatore and O Panneerselvam in Ramanathapuram, are facing tough competition and are trailing in the election race. The voter turnout in Tamil Nadu this year was recorded at 69.72 percent, reflecting significant political engagement.

The DMK’s performance in the current elections defies the exit polls, showcasing a robust stronghold in Tamil Nadu. The alliance appears set to clinch victories in traditionally challenging constituencies like Vellore, Tirunelveli, and Theni, where the DMK’s Thanga Tamilselvan leads by a substantial margin.

On the other hand, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), once aligned with the BJP, is unlikely to secure any seats after parting ways with the NDA last year. Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is trailing in Ramanathapuram, where IUML‘s Navaskani maintains a lead of 46,695 votes.

Amidst these political dynamics, the BJP in Kerala is on the brink of making history by potentially winning a Lok Sabha seat for the first time, with the Thrissur constituency showing BJP’s Suresh Gopi leading by a significant margin.

In another prominent contest, the Congress‘ Shashi Tharoor has staged a comeback to defeat Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the intense race for Thiruvananthapuram. These developments underscore the varied political landscape in the southern states and the impact on national dynamics.

The Tamil Nadu elections of 2024 have witnessed significant shifts and challenges for the BJP, indicating the complex interplay of regional and national dynamics in the electoral arena.