Decode Politics: BJP counts on Modi factor, Opposition far more formidable in Tamil Nadu

The Lok Sabha elections get underway on Friday as the electorate in 102 constituencies in 21 states and Union Territories vote in the first phase. The polls are set to begin after months of build-up that saw the BJP-led NDA underline its goal of winning more than 400 constituencies and campaign focused mainly on welfarism, or as the BJP puts it the “Modi guarantees”, and the INDIA alliance of Opposition parties push back with attempts to unite against the BJP on issues such as raids and arrest of Opposition, the state of the economy, and federalism.

All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, eight constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh, all five constituencies of Uttarakhand; three seats in north Bengal; six in Madhya Pradesh; and five in Maharashtra; and 15 constituencies in eight Northeastern states, including Manipur, vote on Friday. These are the major takeaways ahead of the first round of the Lok Sabha battle.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only factor that the ruling party’s candidates across the country are projecting, given his popularity among the electorate. Several voters in the north credit the PM for “raising India’s stature” in the international arena. The sense on the ground is that his popularity, based on which the BJP swept in 2019, is still intact.

The PM, meanwhile, has also kept a sharp focus on the south, especially Tamil Nadu. He has taken several steps with Tamil Nadu voters in mind, right from organising the Tamil Kaashi Sangaman to raising the Katchatheevu issue to target the DMK. The PM also often invokes Tamil culture in his messages, wears a veshti on his visits, and quotes Tamil classic Thirukkural and poet Subramania Bharati in his speeches. Despite the absence of a strong organisation, the party is