With Modi factor, BJP will gain more traction in Tamil Nadu: Ponguleti

Hyderabad: A silent but sea change is shaping up across the political landscape of Tamil Nadu. People who had so far never looked beyond the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and a few other regional parties in Tamil Nadu, are now looking for an alternative and that is BJP.

In a freewheeling chat with The Hans India, BJP national co-in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, said cutting across different sections of society, people want a change. The process of change has now been set in motion and new political dynamics are taking place in Tamil Nadu.

He said he had toured the State five times. So far, he had gone around 35 Assembly constituencies including Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, Tiruchendur, Salem, Chengalpet, Villupuram and his assessment is that people were now taking BJP seriously. The BJP, he said, was confident that it would get more traction among masses across the Assembly segments.

Youth and women who constitute substantial number of voters are among those who seem to be convinced with the policies and programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they seem to be more keen for a change this time. Another section that seems to be sailing with the Modi's ideology are professionals like doctors, advocates, chartered accountants and intellectuals. Film personalities like Vijayashanti, Kushbu, Hamsavardhan, Gayatri Raghuram, directors, sports personalities. Besides, school correspondents' association, producers' council, Telugu associations, Nayakar, Chettiar, Reddiyar and other community associations have expressed their support to the party.

Another interesting aspect is that the Karnataka cadre IPS officer K Annamalai has resigned from his job and joined the BJP and is campaigning vigorously for the party. Similarly, another IPS officer Kamraj from Haryana too joined the party. Similarly, former DMK Member of Parliament KP Ramalingam, some MLAs from Puducherry and several Congress leaders from TN want to join the party.

Asked if the BJP had the cadre across 233 constituencies, Reddy said the party has completed forming about 70 per cent of booth committees and Shakti groups. Booth in-charges across the Assembly segments have also been appointed. Soon other booth committees would also be constituted, he said.

According to him, people look towards BJP because of its good governance at the Centre and were impressed by the clean image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Family parties like DMK has been deep rooted in corruption and people are fed up with the family feuds, goondaism and corruption. Hence they see BJP as the next option, he said. He further added that the welfare schemes of the Centre like Kisan Samman Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Highways, Urban and Rural development, welfare schemes to the weaker sections, minorities and women etc have gone well with the voters.

When asked about the new farm laws and its impact on the State farmers, he said, the farmers had welcomed the new farm laws. Abrogation of Article 370 and scrapping of Triple Talaq have been welcomed by Muslim minorities'. Christian community is also having a rethinking on their earlier opposition to Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he said.

But then who is the face of the BJP in Tamil Nadu?

Reddy said, the State president Dr L Murugan took out a 'Vetrivel Yatra' from Thiruttani to Tiruchanur. Vel means spear, the weapon of Lord Murugan. The yatra was launched as a fight against the corrupt DMK and anti-Modi forces like Congress and its alliance partners. It was a big hit among the people and the 'Vetri Vel- Veera Vel' (Victorious Vel, Courageous Vel) has become a peoples' battle cry for change in Tamil Nadu.

Reddy further said after the Bihar elections, Dubbaka bypoll and GHMC elections in Telangana, the BJP was sure of emerging as a political force to be reckoned with in the State. BJP is a major opposition party in Thiruvananthapuram and the party was growing in strength in places like Palghat, Pamba and other areas in the neighbouring Kerala state.