The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Tamil Nadu): Election excitement is mounting as India embarks on the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls this Friday, with the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vigorous campaign, making a significant push to capture more seats in the Southern states. Tamil Nadu, with its 39 Lok Sabha seats, is particularly crucial for the BJP’s strategy.
A total of 102 seats across 21 states are set to vote in this initial phase. The outcomes will provide early insights into voter trends, which could influence the strategies for the subsequent six phases of the election.
This election is being characterized as a battle between ‘Modi ki Guarantee’—a pledge to enhance and expand existing government schemes—and the various promises made by opposition parties, including the Congress. The Congress’s manifesto proposes 25 guarantees, including cash transfers and wage increases, aiming to appeal to a broad voter base.
High-profile candidates such as Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Bhupendra Yadav, as well as Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai and others, will see their political fates tested in this phase.
In Uttar Pradesh, a key battleground state, the BJP, SP, and BSP are competing for dominance. The BJP’s alliance with Jayant Chaudhary’s RLP will face its first major electoral test in areas with significant farmer and Jat demographics.
The 2019 elections saw the UPA winning more seats than the NDA in the 102 constituencies that are voting on Friday. These include all seats in states and regions such as Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and several Northeastern states, among others. Some seats in major states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar are also polling in this phase due to the seven-phase election schedule.
Prime Minister Modi has actively engaged with BJP workers and candidates, emphasizing the critical nature of this first phase in a series of personal letters, including one to Annamalai, praising his leadership and dedication in Tamil Nadu.
In its efforts to strengthen its position, the BJP’s think tank, the Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC), has released reports highlighting challenges in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Tamil Nadu report criticizes the DMK government’s policies, linking them to economic setbacks and public discontent. Meanwhile, a separate report on Kerala criticizes the CPI(M) government’s financial management, pointing to a significant increase in public debt and reduced budget allocations for essential public services, suggesting these issues could influence voter sentiment as Kerala prepares for the second phase of voting.