On October 5th, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said at a press conference that the 2024 elections will be a contest between the ruling DMK and the BJP. While refraining from commenting on the AIADMK-BJP split, he added that the people will assess the state versus centre performance and vote based on that. When asked about the BJP’s election strategy, Annamalai replied, “Election strategy is not an agenda for discussion in a press conference.
This will be conveyed to the people at the right time.” Annamalai spoke about how the National Democratic Alliance had remained intact for 25 years though several parties had joined and then exited. “We have governed at the Centre for 10 years and it would only be 35 months of DMK rule in the state by the time the Lok Sabha elections come. The elections will be based on the report cards of the BJP and DMK. People will express their opinion through votes,” said the saffron party leader.
“The challenge is between the DMK and the BJP. I am not saying this today, I have been saying this for the past two years,” he added. When asked about the criticism he faced from the AIADMK, Annamalai dismissed this saying, “Many people criticize me for many things – I can’t be replying to each criticism. My focus is to strengthen the BJP here. The party cadres also feel the same.” There had been reports that senior BJP leaders had cautioned Annamalai from making statements against the AIADMK.
On a question about BJP’s allies in 2024, he said the decision would be made by BJP President JP Nadda but he was confident that Tamil Nadu would play an important role in re-electing Modi as PM for the third term.
“The 2024 polls are about Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning another term in office. The NDA will win all 39 Parliamentary segments in Tamil Nadu,” he added confidently. “BJP emerged as the third largest party in Tamil Nadu because it went alone in the urban body polls. Wait for the 2024 poll results; then everyone will know whose side the public is on,” stated Annamalai.
