Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to bolster support for BJP candidates in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra on Wednesday, a mere ten days ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Following an extensive road show in Chennai on Tuesday, PM Modi will continue his campaign by addressing a public meeting in Vellore. This event aims to endorse two partners within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) – Dharmapuri candidate Soumya Anbumani from the Pattali Makkal Kachi and AC Shanmugam, contesting in Vellore under the BJP symbol on behalf of the New Justice Party.
In the 2019 elections, the DMK-led alliance secured a landslide victory in Tamil Nadu, clinching 38 out of 39 seats. The DMK, heading a coalition of eight parties, including the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Indian Muslim League, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK), is contesting 22 seats.
In Maharashtra, where elections will be conducted across five phases starting April 19, PM Modi will extend his campaign to Nagpur’s Ramtek constituency in support of the Shiv Sena candidate Raju Parwe, aligned with the ruling Eknath Shinde faction. Maharashtra, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, stands as the second-largest constituency after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 elections, the BJP, in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena, secured 23 out of 25 seats contested.
The BJP, contesting 23 seats in Maharashtra, will collaborate with nine other partners, including the Pattali Makkal Katchi, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), O Pannerselvam (contesting as an Independent), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMU) led by TTV Dhinakaran, and the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, Puthiya Needhi Katchi, and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, each vying for one seat under the BJP’s banner.