A Tale of two Parties in Tamil Nadu

Winning and losing are both integral parts of democratic politics. Any political party that enters an electoral contest must be prepared to face either outcome. If victorious, it should remain grounded and continue working for the people without complacency. If defeated, it must show resilience, patience, and the discipline to rebuild — learning from setbacks while preparing for the next opportunity.

History repeatedly shows that political relevance is not determined solely by victory or defeat, but by how effectively a party responds afterward.

Consider the example of the DMK in Tamil Nadu. After suffering a major electoral setback — including the defeat of their own party leaders and various other senior leaders and ministers — the party did not retreat into silence. Instead, it reorganised itself rapidly, re-entered public discourse aggressively, shaped narratives, and kept itself politically visible. Regardless of ideological differences, one cannot deny the intensity and consistency with which it reclaimed political space.

Now contrast this with the current situation of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Nationally, the BJP has expanded significantly:

• It continues to govern or share power in multiple states across India
• It has consolidated its presence in the Northeast
• It has made historic gains in states where it was once considered politically marginal
• It has steadily emerged as a formidable national force

Yet, in Tamil Nadu, the party appears unusually passive at a time when several politically sensitive debates are unfolding in public life.

There are no dearth of controversies in the state. Recent controversies involving:

• Rape & Murder of a 10 year old girl in Sulur

• Change of portfolio for a minister just because a fringe group protested it citing the "caste" of the Minister (Is this not going against the Constitution?)

• Transfer/ shifting of an IAS office from HR&CE just because a fringe group threatened them citing the "Caste" as the reason (Is this Govt so weak to succumb to every threat from every fringe group even though it is unconstitutional?)

• Questions of ideological consistency (Singing of Vande Mataram in official ceremonies)

• Religious symbolism in public functions,

• And governance-related narratives,

All of these have created opportunities for political engagement and opposition mobilisation. However, the visible response is not evident at all. 

Why are there no coordinated state-wide protests, public campaigns, legal interventions, or sustained media engagements by this party?

Why does the party machinery & their legal wing appear less active than its supporters on social media?

Why is there a sense of hesitation instead of urgency?

Politics rewards visibility, narrative control, and continuous public engagement. A vacuum in politics never remains empty for long — it is quickly occupied by those willing to act decisively.

This raises an important organisational question for the BJP in Tamil Nadu:

Is the current leadership structure capable of energising the cadre and sustaining political momentum on the ground?

Many supporters continue to feel that this is the time to bring aggression, clarity, and direction to the party’s state-level politics. If that perception is widespread within the cadre base, then the leadership must introspect seriously about strategy, communication, and organisational effectiveness.

Tamil Nadu politics has never rewarded inactivity.

• It rewards speed
• It rewards visibility
• It rewards relentless engagement with public sentiment

Any political party that fails to recognise these, risks losing not just elections — but relevance itself!

Will the Central Leadership take a note of it or will they go to the so-called political advisors who have an hidden agenda and seek their consultancy that will bury the party forever in this State?