The Madras High Court has intervened to grant permission for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned 4 km-long roadshow in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on Monday, despite initial objections from the state police citing law-and-order concerns and ongoing public exams. The court’s decision comes as part of PM Modi’s extensive outreach to southern states, particularly targeting Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Tamil Nadu police had initially denied permission for the roadshow, citing concerns over security and the concurrent conduct of public exams. They argued that similar refusals were extended to other political parties, emphasizing a neutral approach.
However, the court highlighted the minimal role of state security in securing events attended by the Prime Minister, who is under the protection of the Special Protection Group (SPG). This clarification prompted the court to order the police to grant permission with certain conditions in place.
PM Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu is part of his broader strategy to bolster the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) presence in states traditionally less receptive to the party’s ideology. Despite the BJP’s limited influence in Tamil Nadu, PM Modi has set ambitious goals for the upcoming elections, aiming for a significant increase in seats.
During his visit, PM Modi has engaged in sharp political discourse, targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies, including the Congress, over alleged involvement in scandals while presenting himself as a proponent of development and good governance.
The BJP’s alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has dissolved, leaving the party without a major partner in the state. Despite this, PM Modi has extended olive branches to former allies and praised AIADMK stalwart J Jayalalithaa.
However, the AIADMK remains firm in its decision to contest the upcoming elections independently, indicating a challenging electoral landscape for the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Nevertheless, the BJP has actively pursued alliances with smaller Tamil parties, such as the PMK and DMDK, in a bid to expand its support base and increase its electoral prospects.
Sources By Agencies
