BJP emerges third from third front rubble

CHENNAI: Much to its own surprise, BJP finds itself in the third place in the to Thanjavur and Aravakurichi assembly constituencies and byelection in Thiruparankundram. A disintegrated third front and the lack of a formidable challenge to resist the Dravidian parties could have thrown up the interesting poll outcome for BJP. It has pushed erstwhile allies DMDK and PMK behind it in the three constituencies.
Notwithstanding the high-decibel opposition campaign against the Narendra Modi government on the inter-state Cauvery dispute and the ban on Jallikattu, the popular bull taming sport, BJP came third in the agrarian belt of Thanjavur and Aravakurichi and Thiruparankundram segments.The party recorded a vote share of 2.5% amid farmers venting their ire on the Centre for its demonetization move that paralyzed the cooperative banking sector in the state.
Political observers say this had much to do with the coming apart of the third front, which was formed in the run up to the assembly election. The people’s welfare front, an alliance of four parties, later bolstered by DMDK and G K Vasan’s TMC, fell apart after a humiliating defeat in the May election. Even DMDK leader Vijayakanth, who was projected as the chief ministerial candidate, lost in his Ulundurpet constituency. While Vijayakanth and Vasan parted ways ‘respecting’ the people’s mandate, the lack of consistency in articulating public issues and constant bickering among leaders forced PWF to boycott the election.
VCK leader Thirumavalavan said the PWF could not convince voters about its programme in a short span. “After people’s mandate in May, it would not be right to project PWF as an alternative.” The dalit party extending support to Congress candidate and chief minister of Puducherry V Narayanasamy in Nellithoppu constituency proved a source of embarrassment to PWF allies. They point out that the front was floated with the objective to take on the neo-liberals. VCK’s ‘keenness’ to attend DMK’s all-party meeting a day before the nomination of polls further deepened the rift.
“The Third front is irrelevant in the state. The parties neither have a common minimum programme nor are they united on public issues. And, BJP with 2.5% vote share cannot be seen as an alternative,” said Ramu Manivannan, professor in political science at University of Madras. The visibility of BJP on social media and in other platforms improved its prospects over the years, he said.
The BJP camp is rejoicing over the party’s assertion in the Dravidian heartland. With PMK failing to get a leverage beyond its vanniyar base and DMDK weakening after its leadership failed to keep the flock together, BJP leaders are thrilled. “It has been proven beyond doubt that people stand by BJP, despite the opposition’s accusation on the demonetization move,” senior BJP Rajya Sabha MP L Ganesan said.