In a strategic move ahead of the crucial 2026 state elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit is aggressively bolstering its media warfare capabilities. The party has initiated a specialized training program to groom its functionaries who appear on Tamil news channels and YouTube debates, equipping them with sharper, data-backed arguments to dominate prime-time discussions.
Workshops in Chennai and Trichy to Counter Narrative
The saffron party has already conducted two intensive workshops in Chennai and Trichy, upskilling approximately 40 panelists and senior functionaries. This decision stems from the party's assessment that television news in Tamil Nadu is predominantly controlled by a 'Dravidian narrative', leading to what it perceives as 'inadequate representation' for the national party on local platforms.
A BJP functionary highlighted the unique challenge, stating, "Unlike television debates in northern TV channels, we are forced to argue our point against three or four other panelists who hold views contrary to ours in Tamil Nadu." This situation is exacerbated by a language barrier that often prevents national BJP spokespersons from effectively participating in Tamil debates, a hurdle not faced in states like Bihar, Maharashtra, or Uttar Pradesh.
Focus on Data, Coherence, and Body Language
The training modules are meticulously designed to transform party representatives into formidable debaters. Aseervatham Achary, BJP's National Coordinator (Documentation and Library), emphasized that functionaries were instructed to "express opinions in a coherent manner to expose false propaganda and make people understand BJP's stand." The importance of firm, logical responses was underscored, given that clumsy reactions can be amplified and ridiculed on social media for days.
Beyond verbal arguments, the workshops also addressed the critical aspect of non-verbal communication. Panelists were coached on the right body language to win the perception battle, learning from examples where poor responses and physical cues by representatives from other parties in northern states led to widespread online mockery.
Learning from Bihar and Defining a Tamil Vision
The curriculum included practical case studies, notably from the recently concluded Bihar assembly elections where the BJP secured a landslide victory. These studies were used to illustrate how political debates can impact public perception before polls and to identify 'certain behaviours' that panelists must avoid to prevent negative outcomes.
Guru Prakash Paswan, a BJP National Spokesperson involved in the training, told TOI, "We discussed how to be articulative about PM Modi's contributions to TN in terms of development." The broader goal, as stated by Paswan, is to "express our vision for TN connecting Tamil aspirations to national aspirations."
The sessions, also led by Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Srikanth Karunesh, focused on three key areas:
- Analyzing how debates in Bihar shaped electoral perception.
- Strategizing for better representation and time allocation for BJP voices in TV and YouTube debates.
- Systematically strengthening panelists' ability to deliver statistical, evidence-based responses.
This concerted effort to professionalize its media-facing cadre signals the BJP's serious intent to carve a larger space in Tamil Nadu's political discourse and mount a significant challenge in the 2026 electoral battle, directly taking on the entrenched Dravidian political establishment on its home turf.
