Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Tamil Nadu twice in March as part of the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) aggressive campaign strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Political analysts say the Prime Minister will address a massive public meeting in Madurai on March 1, followed by a rally in Vellore on March 2. The visits aim to strengthen the NDA’s support base in southern and northeastern regions of the state.
The election schedule for Tamil Nadu and four other states is expected to be announced soon by the Election Commission of India. Polling in Tamil Nadu is likely to be held in April, with the current Assembly term ending on May 10.
NDA Alliance Strategy
In Tamil Nadu, the NDA is led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The alliance also includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).
Seat-sharing talks are reportedly in the final stages. AIADMK is expected to contest around 160–170 seats, BJP 45–50 seats, PMK 15–18 seats, and others 5–10 seats.
PM Modi’s Madurai rally is aimed at consolidating support in temple towns and rural southern Tamil Nadu, while the Vellore event is expected to target Vanniyar and other influential communities in northern districts.
Political Landscape
The NDA’s strength lies in AIADMK’s booth-level network, PMK’s influence in the northern Vanniyar belt, and BJP’s growing presence in urban and semi-urban constituencies. Analysts estimate that the alliance’s combined vote share could reach 30–33 percent, posing a serious challenge to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which secured 37.7 percent votes in the 2021 Assembly elections.
Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has dismissed the NDA’s campaign, accusing the central government of neglecting Tamil Nadu in the Union Budget and asserting that the alliance would struggle in 2026.
Meanwhile, emerging players like Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, could introduce a triangular contest in certain constituencies.
BJP’s Growth in Tamil Nadu
Though the BJP has traditionally been weak in Tamil Nadu, it has shown signs of growth. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the party secured a modest presence, while in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, contesting alone, it gained 11.1 percent of the vote share — indicating a gradual expansion in southern India.
PM Modi’s upcoming visits are seen as a morale booster for NDA workers and a strategic effort to project unity and momentum. If the alliance remains cohesive and effectively balances caste and regional equations, it could significantly reshape Tamil Nadu’s political battleground.
