The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu has officially commenced its preparations for a major political and cultural outreach event, setting the stage for the upcoming state assembly elections. On Thursday, the party conducted the Panthakkal Naduthal, a traditional preliminary ritual, in the city of Trichy.
Ritual Sets Stage for Major Political Gathering
This significant ritual was performed ahead of a large-scale community Pongal celebration, which is scheduled to be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The main event is planned for January 5 at the Mannarpuram military ground in Trichy city. According to party officials, the celebration is expected to witness participation from approximately 2,000 families, who will bring their Pongal pots for the traditional festival.
BJP state general secretary Karuppu Muruganandham, who participated in the ritual, emphasized the political importance of the upcoming gatherings. He revealed that Amit Shah's visit to the state will begin with a public meeting in Pudukottai on the evening of January 4. This meeting is intended to mark the conclusion of the state-wide campaign undertaken by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran.
Strategic Meetings and Political Manoeuvres
Prior to the Pongal festivities, Amit Shah has a packed schedule of strategic engagements. On January 4, he is slated to meet with BJP central committee functionaries and key members, likely in Trichy, to deliberate on the current political environment in the state. These discussions are crucial for fine-tuning the party's election strategy.
Muruganandham expressed strong confidence in the BJP-led alliance's prospects. "His visit will set the ground for unseating DMK from power," he stated, directly targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He further claimed that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is apprehensive about the positive reception garnered by the campaigns of opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami and the state BJP president.
AIADMK's Absence and Future NDA Plans
In a notable development, Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) of the AIADMK is not expected to be present at the January 5 Pongal event. He will be occupied with his own statewide campaign, touring Salem on that date. However, Muruganandham indicated that once Palaniswami concludes his current tour, a major public meeting will be organized on behalf of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), signaling a unified front against the DMK.
The Trichy event, blending the cultural significance of Pongal with political mobilization, is being viewed as the formal launch pad for the BJP's aggressive campaign for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The party aims to leverage these large-scale gatherings to connect with voters and build momentum for the electoral battle ahead.
