A possible strategy for BJP in TN 2026 elections

Empowering local governance: A strategic path for BJP in Tamil Nadu

I have written a few articles in the past suggesting what strategies BJP could follow against the Dravidian parties, in general, and DMK in particular, in both Lok Sabha and State elections, in Tamil Nadu (TN). Some of these strategies are used if the BJP were in alliance with Dravidian parties, and others if the BJP were fighting the elections without alliance with Dravidian parties.[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7].

The mindset of the vast majority of the people of TN appears to be as below, in that order:

1. Vote for parties/ candidates who bribe the voters; the more the merrier.
2. Vote for parties/ candidates who offer freebies in their election manifestos.
3. Vote for parties led by leaders from my caste.
4. Vote for parties that promise to get privileges for my caste.
5. Trust Dravidian parties.
6. Trust parties that oppose Hindi and oppose North Indians.
7. Trust parties that stand with religious minorities.
8. Never mind if some parties hurt my religious sentiments, however badly.
9. Political corruption is not a major issue; every politician is corrupt.

In sum, the underlying motivation appears to be self-interest, family interest, caste interest, and Dravidian appeal.

It appears to be a tall order for the BJP to overcome all these mindsets and win votes and seats. However, let’s explore what options the party may still have.

To start with, we can’t advocate BJP to bribe voters, nor is the BJP likely to do that.

BJP can offer freebies in its manifesto, matching or bettering the Dravidian parties, as it did in the Delhi elections.

BJP has to find a way of playing the caste card as well.

BJP will have difficulty if it has to comply with the other expectations of the people.

Let’s now try to see the weakest spots of DMK (and ADMK).

The Tamil Nadu state government has historically centralized power, under both DMK and AIADMK, denying genuine autonomy to local bodies. Paradoxically, they have also been accusing the BJP (and even the Congress) of the same policy fault, vis a vis the states.

Despite constitutional provisions (73rd and 74th Amendments), state governments have consistently undermined local self-governance by:

• Delaying local body elections or manipulating them to win by foul means.
• Denying financial autonomy, withholding or diverting funds meant for panchayats and municipalities.
• Limiting decision-making powers, making local bodies dependent on state government approvals for even basic projects.

Why this is a weak spot for Dravidian parties

The neglect of local self-governments directly affects the daily lives of people, much more than the failure of the state government, leading to poor roads, water supply issues, sanitation problems, and lack of development.

Grassroots political leaders (panchayat presidents, municipal councilors, etc.) are frustrated with the lack of autonomy and financial support. But almost all of them belong to the same party as the ones that win the state elections (viz., DMK and ADMK), and so they have no one they can complain to.

Unlike the Centre-vs-State issue that Dravidian parties use for political mobilization, this is an intra-state governance failure. Criticizing the state won’t be seen as an “anti-Tamil” move, but rather as a pro-people, pro-development initiative.

Possible BJP’s positioning: Becoming the champion of local self-government

A. Grassroots Outreach Program

1. Constituency-Wise Local Governance Report

• Conduct a district-wise, and constituency-wise study on the status of local governance.
• Prepare a “Panchayat Report Card” highlighting:
• • Funds allocated vs. funds actually spent.
  • Infrastructure and civic issues in each panchayat/ municipality.
  • Cases of financial mismanagement and corruption.

2. Village and Ward-Level Meetings

• Organize panchayat-style meetings where local BJP leaders engage with villagers, highlighting how DMK and AIADMK have restricted their development by denying powers and funds.
• Create a state-wide Panchayat leaders’ collective to mobilize discontented local leaders and give them a platform.

3. Social Media and Information Campaign

• Create case-study videos showcasing panchayats that have suffered due to lack of funds.
• Highlight model states (like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala) where local self-governance is more empowered, drawing comparisons.
• Run an #EmpowerLocalTN campaign, emphasizing why local bodies need more power.

B. Political and Legislative Action

4. Pressure the State Government to Release Funds

• File RTIs and PILs to expose delays in fund allocation to local bodies.
• Use BJP MLAs and MPs to raise the issue in the Assembly and Parliament.

5. Promise Direct Financial Transfers to Panchayats

• Announce a BJP policy to ensure direct devolution of funds to local bodies, if voted to power in Tamil Nadu.
• Highlight how BJP-led states have strengthened panchayats and municipalities.
• Explain how the people will immensely benefit from such a move
• Explain how this will reduce the scope of state-level corruption.

6. Local Body Candidate Development Program

• Start grooming non-DMK, non-AIADMK grassroots leaders.
• Even draw grassroots leaders from all the parties including DMK and ADMK, promising to make them functionally autonomous, and how devolution of funds will grow them politically.
• Offer political training and mentorship to aspiring local body leaders under the BJP banner.

C. Election Strategy: Focus on Rural and Small Town Votes

7. BJP as the Party of “Local Leaders”

• Position BJP as the party of local self-governments that wants real democracy at the grassroots.
• Position Dravidian parties as power-hungry monopolists who deny people their rightful say in governance.

8. Develop a “Panchayat Level Manifesto” for 2026 Assembly Elections

• Specific, constituency-wise, panchayat-wise promises for strengthening local bodies.
• Annamalai can undertake Padayatra-2 to create the local level connection based on this strategy.
• Commitment to constitutional amendments if needed to enforce devolution.

Expected Benefits of This Strategy

• Bypass the Dravidian anti-BJP rhetoric by shifting focus from state-vs-centre to people-vs-state-government.
• Create a direct voter connection, especially in rural areas where local governance issues matter the most.
• Use this opportunity to create booth-level workers, for all levels of elections.
• Position BJP as a pro-development party, willing to challenge corruption and centralized power.
• Break DMK’s (and AIADMK’s, if need be) traditional rural vote base, as many of its grassroots leaders feel neglected.

Am I saying this strategy is enough for BJP to win 2026 Elections?

No. I’m saying that this can be a major differentiator for the BJP. BJP may use this along with any other strategies it may come up with, including alliances (with or without ADMK) and its position on language issue and delimitation issue.

This can help the BJP get lots of local level (including booth level) leaders and win the hearts of the people of Tamil Nadu, sidelining the other issues being used to attack the BJP.

Conclusion

• This strategy could be a game-changer for BJP in Tamil Nadu.
• Instead of engaging in ideological battles that favor Dravidian parties, the BJP can make local governance failure its main attack point.
• By becoming the true champion of panchayats and municipalities, the BJP can lay a strong foundation for future electoral success in Tamil Nadu.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Reference: –

[1] A sure way to defeat DMK in 2026? – Jan 15, 2025, PGurus.com

[2] BJP in TN can promise to take over self-financing colleges – Nov 08, 2024, PGurus.com

[3] How BJP can get 33%+ vote share in TN – Apr 01, 2024, PGurus.com

[4] How TN BJP can come to No. 1 or No. 2 in 2024 LS polls – Jan 11, 2024, PGurus.com

[5] Why BJP’s best time in Tamil Nadu is now – Oct 10, 2023, PGurus.com

[6] Can BJP win TN 2024 elections, if it fights alone? – Mar 31, 2023, PGurus.com

[7] Will Annamalai defeat DMK in the 2024 LS elections? – Jan 17, 2023, PGurus.com

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