January 8 is Day 75, of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai’s ‘En Mann En Makkal’ (My land, My people) padayatra, and the saffron leader will be in Mettur, Paapipreddipatti and Harur. The fiery saffron leader embarked on his ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ padayatra on July 28, 2023, from Rameswaram and thus far, he and his campaign have made news headlines nearly every single day.
On January 5, Day 73 of his ‘En Mann En Makkal’ padayatra, Annamalai, announced in Salem that if the BJP was voted to power in the state, Tasmac (wholesale liquor shops) outlets would be closed in three years. His statement has not just made headlines but has become a talking point among the voters of the state. While a total ban on these shops has never been considered realistic or feasible (due to consequent social issues and decrease in fiscal revenues for the state government) by the DMK and AIADMK, Annamalai’s statement has created ripples.
However, this is not the first time that the former IPS officer has made strong impactful statements about issues that affect the people. Annamalai is in the news every single day for his rhetoric and his astute ability to hit out at the core propositions of the Dravidian parties. In fact, many see him as the rising star in Tamil Nadu politics today and are looking at the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to see what Annamalai and his padayatra’s impact would be.
The Padayatra
The fiery BJP state leader embarked on his ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ padayatra on July 28, 2023, from Rameswaram. The yatra was flagged off by BJP leader Amit Shah. He was the youngest BJP state president when he was appointed in 2021 but his growth, and the growth of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, has been tremendous in the state in the last few years.
One of Annamalai’s notable strengths lies in his ability to connect with people at the grassroots level. His approach involves actively engaging with local communities, understanding their issues, and working towards sustainable solutions. This grassroots connect has endeared him to many voters across the state, earning him a reputation as a leader who truly understands the needs of the common people.
Navigating through the intricacies of Tamil Nadu’s political landscape requires a delicate balance of addressing local concerns while aligning with the broader national agenda. And Annamalai has been shrewd enough to understand that breaking the decades-old Dravidian stronghold would be a Herculean task whilst treading carefully along the caste lines. His strategic choice to focus on issues (social and economic) of the common man and deconstruct Dravidian politics has been his forte and contributed to his success.
On his padayatra, Annamalai has kept his messaging simple like his website says – “I will not let my Tamil people fall prey to the nefarious politics that has plagued this state for long. I am here to walk with you. Together, we will rise. Together, we will build a new future.” His focus on issues such as infrastructure development, job creation, and education, aligns with the aspirations of many citizens, especially the youth. Thus, his ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ padayatra has turned out to be a stellar vehicle, not just for himself as a political leader, but for the BJP which is now getting visibility even in small towns in Tamil Nadu thanks to him.
Annamalai’s political journey is marked by a vision for Tamil Nadu’s progress and prosperity. He has been vocal about issues such as infrastructure development, job creation, and education. His emphasis on inclusive growth and development resonates with many who see him as a leader capable of steering the state towards a brighter future.
Cutting across caste divisions
Caste-based politics is a given in India and in Tamil Nadu, the political sphere is dominated by the Thevars, Gounders, Vellalars and others. Today, Tamil Nadu politics has veered more towards castes and communities moving away from the ideology-driven agenda. Now, the BJP was always perceived in Tamil Nadu as a party for the Brahmins but Annamalai has been able to change this perception.
His ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ padayatra across the various districts in Tamil Nadu, was aimed at reaching out to voters across various castes and communities. For instance, in the Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Virudhunagar, and Sivagangai districts, it is the Mukkulathor, Devendrakula Vellalar, and Nadars who are the predominant communities. In the Kanniyakumari, Rameswaram, and Thoothukudi districts, the Nadars and fishermen communities are predominant. The BJP has been trying to increase their vote bank among these communities over the last few years and this padayatra has given them the much-needed visibility.
The saffron leader himself hails from the Gounder community just like AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami. The AIADMK has a stronghold in the Kongu belt which comprises Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, and Dindigul. Annamalai is keen on changing the voting pattern here as well and his padayatra is on point for this effort.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, BJP got around 2 per cent of the votes. Right now, Annamalai’s focus is the 2024 elections and his efforts are being noticed by the Dravidian parties in the state. Annamalai clearly sees the Lok Sabha elections as a battle between the BJP and the DMK. On Sunday, the BJP state president was asked at Madurai about potential alliances for the elections and he replied that his focus was not on strengthening the alliance but on strengthening the party. He added that support of the people for BJP is evident from the large crowds during his ongoing ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ padayatra.
Annamalai’s stance on inclusive development and alignment with broader national goals has contributed to his increasing popularity in Tamil Nadu. Now, all eyes are on the Lok Sabha elections to see how much his efforts and popularity translate into votes for the ruling national party. Having said that, K Annamalai has made himself an indelible part of Tamil Nadu politics and is only set to grow stronger in the years to come.
