Graft taint on Big 2 makes BJP hopeful in TN

With the two Dravidian parties singed by corruption charges, the BJP sees Tamil Nadu as fertile ground for spreading its footprints in the south.

With the two Dravidian parties singed by corruption charges, the BJP sees Tamil Nadu as fertile ground for spreading its footprints in the south.

The indictment of DMK patriarch Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi in a money-laundering case and the naming of the two Maran brothers in the Aircel-Maxis case have blunted the DMK’s ability to attack AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa’s corruption case conviction.

Both parties are on the back foot and herein lies the opportunity for them, feel senior Tamil Nadu BJP leaders. “Because, all across India the mood of the people in general is against corruption,” said veteran BJP leader L Ganesan.

Ganesan was confident that the BJP and its alliance partners would build on the gains
from the general elections in the run up to the 2016 assembly polls. Though there was a gap between the NDA and DMK vote share, Karunanidhi’s party had weakened considerably and would find it difficult to revive itself, he said.

“The Modi government’s work and commitment on the issue of fighting corruption would make people yearn for change,” he added.

Tamil Nadu’s politics is, however, difficult to predict with mercurial leaders like Vaiko who have the habit of walking out of an alliance at the eleventh hour, analysts said.

But, as the DMK and AIADMK fight legal battles and with the Congress only a bit player, the BJP is not wrong in considering the next assembly polls as its best chance in Tamil Nadu in many years , analysts said.