Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up to rally support for BJP candidates in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra on Wednesday, just ten days before the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Following an impressive roadshow in Chennai, PM Modi is set to continue his campaign in Vellore.
In Vellore, PM Modi will address a public meeting to endorse two National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners – Pattali Makkal Kachi’s Dharmapuri candidate Soumya Anbumani and the New Justice Party’s Vellore candidate AC Shanmugam, who is contesting on the BJP symbol.
The electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu has been dynamic, with the DMK-led alliance sweeping the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, securing an impressive 38 out of the 39 seats. The DMK, leading an eight-party alliance, is contesting 22 seats, with the Congress vying for 9 seats, the CPI(M) and CPI each contesting 2 seats, and other parties like the Indian Muslim League and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi also in the fray.
In contrast, the AIADMK, leading a coalition of four parties, is set to contest 34 seats, with its allies Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam vying for 5 seats, and the Puthiya Tamilagam and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) each contesting on AIADMK’s symbol.
The BJP, contesting 23 seats in Tamil Nadu, has allied with nine other partners. Among these are the Pattali Makkal Katchi on 10 seats, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) on 3 seats, and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, who is contesting as an Independent. Additionally, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMU) led by TTV Dhinakaran, will contest on 2 seats, while the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, Puthiya Needhi Katchi, and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam will each contest on one seat under the BJP’s banner.
Following his rally in Vellore, PM Modi will make his way to Maharashtra to campaign in Nagpur’s Ramtek constituency, in support of the Shiv Sena (ruling Eknath Shinde faction) candidate Raju Parwe.
Maharashtra holds significant importance in the Lok Sabha elections, boasting 48 seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged victorious, securing 23 out of the 25 seats it contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena.
The upcoming elections in Maharashtra will be conducted in five phases, spanning from April 19 to May 20. This campaign push by PM Modi underscores the intense battle unfolding in these key states, setting the stage for a crucial electoral showdown.
