As the first phase of the Tamil Nadu Election 2024 gets underway, all eyes are on the high-stakes triangular battle between DMK, BJP and AIADMK. The key candidates to watch out for are K Annamalai from BJP in Coimbatore, Tamilisai Soundararajan from BJP in Chennai South, and Ganapathy P Rajkumar from DMK in Coimbatore. While BJP is confident in a resounding mandate from the people, opposition leaders predict a win for the INDIA bloc in all 39 seats. Stay updated with live coverage on News18 for the latest updates, polling trends and real-time analysis of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election.
As the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu approach, the spotlight is on the Chennai South constituency, which is traditionally a bastion of the DMK. With the BJP nominating Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan as their candidate, the question on everyone's mind is whether she can make a significant impact in this DMK stronghold. The Quint's on-ground investigation and interviews with locals and party leaders shed light on the potential outcome of this triangular contest for the Chennai South seat.
The BJP's South Chennai candidate, Tamilisai Soundararajan, expressed confidence in the party's victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing strong leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She also criticized the INDI alliance for not projecting a prime ministerial candidate and behaving as if the state elections were more important. Soundararajan also took aim at AIADMK, saying they had no clear leader and questioned the leadership abilities of Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin. She urged voters to support the BJP and hold the ruling party accountable for not addressing the issues faced by the people.
Former Governor of Telangana and Puducherry Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has resigned from her positions to contest in the upcoming elections as the BJP candidate from Chennai South. Along with her, former IPS officer and BJP TN President K. Annamalai, Union Minister L. Murugan, and former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan have also been named as the party's candidates for various Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. The BJP's alliance with Vanniyar party PMK is expected to strengthen their position in northern districts and their base in Coimbatore and Kanniyakumari.
Tamilisai Soundararajan, who serves as Governor of Telangana and holds additional charge as L-G of Puducherry, has resigned from her post in order to enter the electoral fray. This unexpected move comes just days before the nomination process for Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry begins. Soundararajan, a longtime BJP member and former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, is likely to contest from Chennai (South) or Tirunelveli. This is not the first time a Governor has resigned to pursue a political career, as demonstrated by Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan's similar resignation in 2019.