Nagenthran Claims TVK Trails in By-Polls, Links It to CM’s Intensive Campaigns

Tirunelveli: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran has claimed that the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) was trailing in the electoral race in the Dharapuram and Madurantakam Assembly constituencies and added that the political situation had prompted Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to undertake intensive street campaigns and roadshows, unlike the few direct campaigns he undertook during the Assembly elections six months ago.

Speaking to mediapersons in Tirunelveli on Saturday, Nagenthran said he had visited both constituencies and assessed the ground situation. He said Vijay had already campaigned extensively in Madurantakam, visiting several villages, and was scheduled to campaign in Dharapuram on Sunday.

Questioning the need for the Chief Minister to undertake intensive campaigning when, as claimed by the TVK, merely showing his face once was enough to attract voters, the BJP state president said Vijay’s sheen had been diminishing following what he described as failures in administration during the past five months. This, he said, had forced the Chief Minister to step up campaigning for the by-polls.

Criticising the TVK government over the power situation in Tamil Nadu, Nagenthran said adequate electricity supply was essential for industries and warned that a lack of basic infrastructure could drive fresh investments to other states.

He also alleged that the state was facing problems relating to law and order and drug use, and added that the government should ensure adequate electricity and water supply to sustain industrial growth.

He stated that the growth in Tamil Nadu’s GST collections had slowed, affecting the state’s economic growth.

Further rejecting comparisons between the functioning of the TVK and the BJP, Nagenthran said the BJP’s long political history could not be compared with that of the newly-formed party. He described the TVK as a “bubble” and predicted a possible political change in the state after the by-polls.

The BJP leader also came down heavily on parties questioning the functioning of the Election Commission, saying it was not appropriate to accept the electoral process when the results were favourable and question it after defeats. He termed opposition to the special intensive revision (SIR) an attempt to create confusion.

On the Hindi signage controversy on state highways, Nagenthran said language issues should not be used to create political divisions. He added that repeatedly circulating a false narrative on social media could turn an otherwise insignificant issue into a political controversy.