NDA Alliance Fissures Surface in Tamil Nadu as AMMK Cadres Decry Campaign Neglect
Significant cracks have emerged at the grassroots level within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, with cadres of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) openly expressing their discontent over being systematically ignored by their alliance partner, the AIADMK, during crucial campaign activities. This tension is particularly pronounced in the Uthangarai and Bargur assembly constituencies located within the Krishnagiri district, where AIADMK candidates E C Govindan and T M Tamilselvam are contesting, respectively.
Voices of Frustration from Krishnagiri District
S Ganesh Kumar, the AMMK's Krishnagiri east district secretary, articulated the growing frustration among party workers. He emphasized that AMMK functionaries, ranging from district-level leaders to panchayat-level office-bearers, have been diligently working in various capacities to support the AIADMK candidates without expecting any material rewards. "However, despite our repeated requests, the essential candidate introduction meeting has still not been organized. Even after appealing directly to Krishnagiri district secretary K Ashok Kumar, no concrete action has been taken," Ganesh Kumar stated.
He further leveled serious accusations against AIADMK deputy general secretary KP Munusamy, alleging disrespectful treatment towards AMMK functionaries. In a more specific grievance, Ganesh Kumar revealed that just two days prior, the AIADMK had distributed funds of Rs 10,000 per booth to alliance party executives to mobilize voter support. "Yet, our AMMK members were conspicuously not invited to participate in these campaign activities or benefit from these resources. This deliberate boycott is both painful and distressing. At this point, there seems to be no use in complaining to anyone higher up," he lamented.
Echoing Concerns Across Multiple Districts
The sentiment of neglect is not isolated to Krishnagiri. AMMK functionaries in the neighboring districts of Vellore, Tirupattur, and Ranipet have echoed strikingly similar concerns, painting a picture of widespread communication breakdown and organizational sidelining.
A functionary from Ranipet district, who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted the chaotic and uncoordinated nature of the campaign. "There is absolutely no proper communication regarding who the election in-charges are within the constituency. Sometimes, even when we are belatedly invited to join a campaign event, we find ourselves completely out of place and unsure of our roles," the functionary explained.
They also pointed to a more structural weakness exacerbated by the alliance dynamics: the thinning of AMMK's local strength. "Several of our functionaries have recently defected to the DMK, joining former MLA N Parthiban. This exodus, coupled with the current neglect, is significantly weakening our party's presence and effectiveness in the district," the Ranipet functionary added.
A Contrast in the Thevar Belt
Interestingly, the situation presents a stark contrast in the Thevar-dominant regions of southern Tamil Nadu. In areas like Theni and Madurai districts, often referred to as the Thevar belt, AMMK functionaries report working in much greater coherence and coordination with their AIADMK and BJP alliance partners.
K David Annadurai, an AMMK functionary based in Madurai, noted this cooperative spirit. "Our leader, T T V Dhinakaran, has actively campaigned in several constituencies across Theni and Madurai districts over the last couple of days. Here, the alliance machinery appears to be functioning more smoothly, with cadres from all parties collaborating effectively," Annadurai observed. This regional disparity underscores the uneven and potentially volatile nature of the NDA's grassroots unity as the election season intensifies.
