Two Political Heavyweights Lock Horns in South India

MK Stalin (left) and the DMK party currently have a stronghold on electoral power.

The Lok Sabha elections in India, which are responsible for selecting the lower house of the parliament and have been dubbed the world's largest elections, are scheduled to begin on April 19, 2024. The vote is particularly important to the southern state Tamil Nadu, the seventh most populous Indian state with over 72 million people. Tamil Nadu is also the second largest economy in India, making it a dominant force in shaping the country's political landscape. Beyond the conventional contest for parliamentary representation, these elections symbolize a longstanding feud of ideologies that have long been imprinted into the socio-political fabric of the state.

For the past six decades, the two Dravidian political parties have dominated Tamil Nadu, according to The Hindu. These include the current party in power, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by M.K Stalin, and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and they have championed social justice, regional pride, and welfare-oriented policies. The parties’ ideologies resonate with the people, emphasizing Tamil Nadu’s unique cultural identity and the rights of its citizens. Business Today reports that in the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the DMK achieved a resounding victory by securing 70.7% of contested races and winning twice the number of seats as its rival, the AIADMK. The DMK-led alliance holds over two-thirds of the assembly seats, with the DMK itself commanding a majority of 133 seats. Despite challenges, the AIADMK remained resilient with 66 seats, according to Times of India.

However, the Indian central party in power, the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), once perceived as an outsider in Tamil Nadu, has been steadily expanding its footprint. As Zee News writes, its alliances with local parties in the state reveal a strategic chess match, balancing on the tightrope of national and regional political sentiment. The recent seat-sharing agreement with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party is a crucial move in the state. The PMK, representing the Vanniyar minority, has been allocated ten parliamentary constituencies. This move aims to bolster the BJP’s presence in the northern districts, where the PMK wields considerable electoral clout according to Indian Express. 

The alliance notably raises eyebrows given the BJP’s perceived anti-Tamil Nadu stance. In the past, the BJP aligned with the AIADMK, but India Today reports that the AIADMK severed ties due to several concerns. The AIADMK felt that the BJP, particularly its state chief K Annamalai, was not respecting the ‘alliance dharma’ and was trying to project itself as the main opposition party in the state, overshadowing the AIADMK. Furthermore, the alliance with the BJP was perceived as unpopular among certain sections of the electorate, potentially leading to a fall in minority votes. The BJP’s “one-nation, one-language, one-culture” agenda did not sit well with Tamil Nadu’s electorate. The challenge lies in converting support into victories. The BJP aims to surprise by winning seats in a state historically dominated by Dravidian parties, and the recent alliance with the PMK is a strategic move toward this goal.

For decades, the BJP has built its national campaign around the Hindutva movement, advocating for a unified, religious Hindu identity. It emphasizes cultural nationalism, asserting that India’s soul lies in its ancient heritage, culture, and religion. On the other hand, Southern states like Tamil Nadu have managed to distinguish themselves by disseminating Dravidianism, championed by parties like the DMK and AIADMK. Dravidianism is rooted in social justice, aiming to uplift marginalized communities. Most importantly, however, Dravidianism is a symbol of the celebration of Tamil culture, language, and identity. Nevertheless, BJP leaders assert that there is no real difference between these ideologies, according to The Processor. They argue that both paths ultimately seek the welfare of the people, albeit under different names. Whether this assertion holds water or not is a hotly contested match, and it underscores the ideological tussle in Tamil Nadu.

As the state gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, the confluence of ideologies and alliances shapes its destiny. The BJP, once an outsider, has now crossed lines into adversary territory. A victory for the BJP may be elusive, and whether it can ride this tide to electoral success remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: Tamil Nadu’s political landscape is ever-changing, and the currents of Hindutva and Dravidianism will continue to shape its course well into the future.