The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a political party in Tamil Nadu, is reportedly planning to take a major role in the next national general elections, which is set to take place in 2024. The DMK hopes to win all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and one seat in Puducherry, and they are set to play a central role in opposition unity as they compete against the ruling AIADMK-BJP alliance in the state. The DMK is confident they will make a significant contribution to the success of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which could boost opposition parties across the country.
Although opposition parties are likely to win a large number of seats from Kerala, they are less likely to win many seats from Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, which have fewer opposition supporters. In 2019, BJP only won four seats in Telangana, out of a total of 17 seats, and lost 27 seats in Karnataka. Therefore, the opposition is more likely to rely on states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala for their votes.
DMK leader MK Stalin is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming elections, given the challenges facing the opposition in Tamil Nadu. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, is a divided house with several members being expelled from the party in recent years. Moreover, the tension between the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is evident, and they have often been at odds with each other. Michitrada Kalaignar, Stalin’s father, helped form the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre in 2004, and opposition parties hope Stalin will do the same in 2024.
In addition to political developments, the social work undertaken by the DMK government in Tamil Nadu under Stalin’s leadership has also garnered significant support from locals. After becoming the Chief Minister of the state, Stalin introduced several social programmes to help those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. These measures, such as ‘Makkale Thedi Maruthum’ and ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi,’ brought Stalin and his DMK in direct contact with people, enhancing their image and popularity.
The DMK hopes to take up a significant role in the opposition alliance, which would boost their chances of winning in 2024. In conclusion, DMK’s role as a major driver of opposition in Tamil Nadu and its growing popularity could help opposition parties nationwide, which could lead to significant changes in the country’s political landscape.
