Headline: BJP Eyes Southern Sweep in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Despite Past Setbacks
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced challenges in the southern states, winning only 29 out of 129 seats, with 25 of those victories coming from Karnataka. Despite setbacks in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, the BJP remains undeterred and is gearing up for a significant push in the south.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to focus extensively on campaigning in the five southern states, dedicating substantial time to launch development schemes in the coming months. During his visit to Tamil Nadu, the PM inaugurated projects worth Rs 20,000 crore, including a new airport. He is scheduled to hold a road show and a public meeting in Thrissur, Kerala, on Wednesday, with nearly two lakh BJP women workers expected to be present.
The BJP aims to secure 40-50 seats in the Lok Sabha elections from the southern states, banking on retaining the 25 seats in Karnataka. The party is optimistic about performing better in Telangana, where it won four Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Additionally, the BJP is hopeful of winning seats in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
A senior BJP leader emphasized that the campaign, featuring top leaders such as Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, will have a strong focus on the south. The party plans to seek votes in the name of Modi, leveraging his popularity. The BJP’s decision to fight alone in Tamil Nadu, following the break with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), indicates the party’s determination. In Kerala, the BJP is actively challenging both the Left and the Congress and intends to field a strong candidate against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad.
While the BJP faced challenges in Telangana during the assembly elections, the collapse of the BRS has transformed the Lok Sabha election into a direct contest between the Congress and BJP in the state. The BJP eyes a southern push to achieve its target of 350 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign and expand its base in the southern states.
