Capitalise On Anti-Incumbency Against DMK, Block Vijay's Rise: BJP Sharpens Tamil Nadu Strategy

Last Updated:October 08, 2025, 10:04 IST

The party is exploring potential tie-ups with smaller regional outfits apart from factoring in possible realignments within the Ramadoss family

The BJP believes that while the AIADMK splinter groups may not be electorally strong individually, they could impact NDA prospects if they align with TVK or remain neutral. (AFP)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently appointed national vice-president Baijayant Panda and Union minister Muralidhar Mohol to be election in-charge and co-in-charge for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections slated for early next year.

While Panda has some organisational experience, with the big Delhi win behind him, victory in the southern state is a daunting task. Mohol, meanwhile, has risen up the ranks in the state of Maharashtra. From being the mayor of the city of Pune to having won his first MP election in 2024 and then becoming a part of Team Modi in the Centre, Mohol is Minister of State for both civil aviation and the ministry of cooperation, in which he is Home Minister Amit Shah’s deputy.

Both Panda and Mohol travelled to state capital Chennai earlier this week, where they met state leaders and held a core group meeting of the saffron party. Panda also met AIADMK chief Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami.

The central leaders received valuable feedback on ground from state president Nainar Nagendran and former state chief and popular Tamil Nadu face K Annamalai. Several other party leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan, Vanathi Srinivasan and H Raja and Union minister Dr L Murugan were amongst those who shared valuable inputs with the central leaders.

Sources indicate that the BJP has begun formulating its Tamil Nadu poll strategy with a series of closed-door meetings held over the past two days.

The party is exploring potential tie-ups with smaller regional outfits while sharpening its focus on targeting the ruling DMK. A key element of the strategy will be ensuring that anti-incumbency sentiments against the DMK translate into gains for the NDA.

The BJP is also assessing ways to counter the growing popularity of Vijay’s TVK. Internal assessments suggest that TVK currently commands around 20 per cent of the state’s vote share, with nearly 60 per cent of that being anti-NDA.

The party has also factored in possible realignments within the Ramadoss family, with Dr S Ramadoss likely to stay with the NDA, while his son Anbumani may opt for neutrality or lean toward TVK.

State leaders have further briefed the central leadership about the fluid situation within the AIADMK splinter groups. A clearer picture is expected by November, as factions led by TTV Dhinakaran, Sasikala, Sengottaiyan, or O Panneerselvam decide their course. The BJP believes that while these groups may not be electorally strong individually, they could impact NDA prospects if they align with TVK or remain neutral.

In the state assembly elections scheduled to take place in early 2026, the ruling DMK-Congress alliance is pitted against a buoyant NDA, with EPS anchoring the ship. However, with his entry in the political arena, actor-turned-politician Vijay can play the role of the kingmaker.

News elections Capitalise On Anti-Incumbency Against DMK, Block Vijay's Rise: BJP Sharpens Tamil Nadu Strategy

Read More