State: Tamil Nadu
Best poll performance:
Lok Sabha: 4 out of 39 seats (1999)
Assembly: 4 out of 234 seats (2001)
A groundswell of interest in Tamil Nadu about Narendra Modi and his development model have made the BJP hopeful of a chance to win seats in the 2014 general elections.
This could be sensed from the size of the crowd that had gathered in Tiruchirapalli. “After this rally, smaller parties will gravitate towards us,” said BJP state youth wing secretary V Balamurugan.
In 2009, the BJP could neither win a seat nor attract allies. But this time smaller parties are considering the BJP. Last week, a backward-caste party from western Tamil Nadu, the Kongunadu Makkal Katchi, declared it was with the BJP and Vaiko’s MDMK has indicated willingness to join the formation.
The India Jaganayakar Katchi, floated by education and media baron K Patchamuthu, is also with the BJP. The PMK, too, is willing but on condition that there will be a cabinet berth for Anbumani Ramadoss.