Congress Candidate Predicts Low NDA Vote Share in Tamil Nadu for 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

B Manickam Tagore, the Congress candidate for the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu, has predicted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will not exceed an 18% vote share in the state during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Tagore made this statement after casting his vote at Thirunagar in Madurai district on Friday.

The Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency, known as the birthplace of prominent Tamil Nadu political leader K Kamraj, is home to various manufacturing units. Tagore, who is re-contesting from the seat, expressed confidence in his party's prospects in the upcoming national elections.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the DMK-led alliance secured a landslide victory in Tamil Nadu, winning 38 out of the 39 seats. The BJP, which is part of the NDA, failed to win any seats in the state during the previous election despite significant investments.

Why this matters: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu are anticipated to be a three-way contest between the DMK, AIADMK, and BJP. Tagore's prediction of a low vote share for the NDA highlights the challenges faced by the BJP in making inroads in the southern state.

Key constituencies to watch in Tamil Nadu for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections include Coimbatore, Thoothukkudi, Chennai Central, Nilgiris, Chennai South, Ramanathapuram, and Sivaganga. The average voter turnout in the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies of Tamil Nadu stood at 39.51% till 1 pm on the polling day.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who are seeking a rare third term in power. While most polls predict a win for Modi and the BJP, the opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress and powerful regional parties is hoping to tap into voter discontent over issues like high unemployment, inflation, and religious polarization.

As the nation awaits the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which are set to be announced on June 4th, Tagore's prediction adds to the political discourse surrounding the electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu. The state's 39 Lok Sabha seats will play a critical role in determining the composition of the next government at the center.

Key Takeaways

• Congress MP Tagore predicts NDA will get <18% votes in TN 2024 LS polls.
• Virudhunagar LS seat is birthplace of prominent TN leader K Kamraj.
• DMK-led alliance won 38/39 seats in TN in 2019 LS polls, BJP failed to win any.
• Key TN constituencies to watch in 2024: Coimbatore, Thoothukkudi, Chennai Central.
• 2024 LS polls seen as referendum on PM Modi, opposition hopes to tap voter discontent.