TN Elections 2021: Amit Shah visit and the ushering in of national politics

Chennai

The rigid demarcation of national politics and state politics in Tamil Nadu might get obscured with senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Tamil Nadu is built on the foundation stone of federalism. Though national parties have been striking alliances with the regional parties, their national clout gets reduced to being a mere minor coalition partner in the state.

TN BJP is looking to masquerade itself both as a national party but 'sensitive' to regional sensibilities with its 'Vel Yatra' sought to 'protect' TN Hindus, which has landed their alliance with AIADMK in a sour zone. The ruling party clearly is preempting any attempt to polarise people on religious lines.

BJP has been taking a stand on almost all regional issues in order make their presence felt in the regional arena of politics.

This 'positive' juxtaposition for the BJP could further be emboldened by the visit of Amit Shah, whose poll strategy has led the 'Hindutva' party to make inroads in states where they've been close to non-existent.

The frantic election preparations by Trinamool Congress to keep BJP at bay in West Bengal speak volumes of BJP's non-negligible influence. AIADMK is no different as they convened a meet on Friday to make sure all the important members are on the same page with Amit Shah visit and hush down any voice that differs, according to some sources.

With BJP being AIADMK's alliance partner, no matter how much ever discordant, and not agreeing incumbent Edappadi Palaniswami as CM candidate, hints at saffron party trying to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

DMK's composure too may take a hit if BJP tastes success in wooing former CM M Karunanidhi's elder son MK Alagiri, who was out of active politics since his ouster from DMK in 2014. MK Alagiri's side has outrightly refuted speculations of his meeting with Amit Shah.

Shah reaches with Chennai from Delhi at 10:50 today, royally received by TN BJP with all the popular rural arts. He will stay at hotel leela palace and will inaugurate projects worth Rs 62,000 crores including second phase of metro rail project. Z plus security will be at his protection through out his stay in Chennai.

He will also meet higher ups of TN BJP and district secretaries to discuss poll strategies. He is scheduled to leave Chennai for Delhi on 10:15 in the Sunday morning.

A national leader's visit gaining traction in the context of regional politics, when elections are fast approaching, gives a loud message that BJP is starting to be a force to reckon with in Tamil Nadu.