BJP banks on PM Modi’s rally in Coimbatore

The smaller parties that were part of the NDA alliance are likely to stick with the BJP this time around but the other major constituent of the alliance, Pattali Makkalt Katchi, has already declared it will go it alone.

The Tamil Nadu BJP is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first political rally in the state after assuming the highest office in May 2014. The party unit hopes the launch of its poll campaign at a rally on Tuesday would alter the tone and tenor of politics played out in the state for decades.

HT Image (PTI File Photo)

However, contrary to earlier expectations, the alliance talks with potential allies and BJP’s own former allies could not be finalised ahead of Modi’s visit as was being eagerly expected by the BJP rank and file. However, the mood is upbeat in the party, which hopes to persuade Captain Vijayakanth to enlist and fight the polls along with NDA.

It is learnt that Vijayakanth will be visiting Delhi soon to meet BJP national president Amit Shah to finalise the deal. The smaller parties that were part of the NDA alliance are likely to stick with the BJP this time around but the other major constituent of the alliance, Pattali Makkalt Katchi, has already declared it will go it alone.

The BJP, which has rapidly expanded the party’s membership in the state, is hoping to put up a mega show at Coimbatore.

A political analyst in Coimbatore said the BJP could be positioning itself for a major role in Tamil Nadu politics in the next general elections. This time around, it can, at best, play a spoiler.