Anti-incumbency in Tamil Nadu, says BJP leader

BJP National Secretary Anil K. Antony on Monday said that there is strong anti-incumbency in Tamil Nadu and that people are unhappy with the DMK government, asserting that an NDA government will be formed in the State after 2026 Assembly elections.

He made these remarks while addressing the media in Nagercoil.

He reiterated that BJP had formed a very strong alliance in Tamil Nadu along with several other alliance partners and asserted, “We are very sure that the NDA will form the government in Tamil Nadu.”

Responding to a question on the position of BJP in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, with assembly elections a few months away, Mr. Antony said that the BJP had been growing steadily across the country in the last few years and the party was making a strong push, particularly in southern States.

He added that the NDA governments are currently in power in 21 States, including 14 led by BJP government. Recalling that in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections, he said that the party (referring to BJP) had won only two seats and faced widespread criticism that it would never form a government anywhere. However, since 2014 the party has won three national-level elections with full majority, he noted.

Mr. Antony further said that the party had been steadily growing in Tamil Nadu as well, pointing out that in 2024 lok sabha elections, NDA alliance without AIADMK had secured around 19% vote share in the State. He observed that AIADMK has now joined the NDA, thereby forming a very strong coalition with several other parties.

Expressing confidence in the alliance, he said, “The DMK government is very unpopular at this moment. There is anti-incumbency and the people are not happy with the DMK government. It is assured there will be a NDA government after the assembly elections.