TN elections 2016: BJP to focus on bringing in caste and community groups

Rather than depending only on parties like DMDK, PMK and MDMK, the party has decided to pull in different social and small political groups.
TN elections 2016: BJP to focus on bringing in caste and community groups
TN elections 2016: BJP to focus on bringing in caste and community groups
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After losing Bihar elections, BJP is all set with its plan to have alliances with caste and community groups in 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, according to TOI report.

Rather than depending only on parties like DMDK, PMK and MDMK, the party has decided to pull in different social and small political groups.

Party sources reportedly told TOI that when BJP is trying to reach out to Dalit groups in Tamil Nadu, forming alliance with parties like PMK won’t help as they represent dominant castes.

A party ideologue told TOI, “With PMK candidates failing to get elected even in Vanniyar-dominated constituencies barring Dharmapuri in the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is trying to form its own group of this socially dominant caste within the party instead of outsourcing its Vanniyar support from an ally which may not continue in the NDA.”

DMDK chief and actor Vijayakanth’s recent statement on not being sure that his party was still part of NDA, has worried BJP as Vijayakanth comes from a Naidu community and has the star appeal in his favour. BJP party sources said that the party has not abandoned the possibility of forming an alliance with DMDK but wants to look beyond him and wants to increase its base in Naidu community.

The party also has Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and State President Tamilisai Soundarajan who hail from Nadar community which is considered powerful in southern Tamil Nadu.

The party needs to pull in dominant groups like Thevars, Vanniyars and Gounders without leaving Dalits who constitute about 20% of the electorate. BJP is bringing on board the Vellalars and Thevars who constitute about 10 to 12% of voters and Yadavas account 8% of voters. They are also planning to bring in Mudaliars, Reddiars and Gowdas for the assembly elections, according to TOI report. 

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