- A Strategic Offensive on Southern States
- A Calculated Southern Strategy
Article Today, Hyderabad/Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an assertive political campaign to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) influence across southern India. With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections behind, the party is recalibrating its focus towards Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. The objective is clear: weaken dominant regional parties and expand BJP’s electoral footprint through strategic alliances, local leadership, and film personalities.
Setback for BRS in Telangana
In Telangana, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) continues to grapple with internal challenges. Senior leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha’s arrest in connection with the Delhi liquor scam has placed the party on the defensive. The BJP is attempting to capitalize on this political vacuum. Having secured eight Lok Sabha seats in 2024, BJP is projecting itself as the principal opposition to the ruling Congress. Union ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar are at the forefront of consolidating the party’s position in the state.
Jagan Weakened in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has seen a major political shift. The defeat of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the 2024 elections has left its chief, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, politically vulnerable. Legal cases against several party leaders and the loss of power have created space for the NDA alliance. BJP, alongside allies TDP and Jana Sena, is planning to bolster its base. Notably, the party is positioning Pawan Kalyan as a potential rival to TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, aiming to create a new political axis in the state.
Tamil Nadu’s Political Chessboard
In Tamil Nadu, the BJP is striving to counter the ruling DMK by reviving its alliance with AIADMK. A new dimension has been added with actor Vijay’s political entry through his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). BJP strategists view Vijay as a potential game-changer who can erode the DMK’s youth vote base. Although the BJP did not win many seats in the 2024 election, its improved vote share signals growing presence. Efforts are underway to unite AIADMK and TVK to form a credible alternative.
Maintaining Ground in Karnataka
Karnataka remains the only southern state where the BJP has a strong organizational presence. Despite losing power to Congress, the party performed well in the 2024 general elections. Backed by the RSS and a structured cadre network, BJP remains the primary opposition. Internal rifts within the Congress, especially between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, are further aiding the BJP’s resurgence in the state.
No Major Headway in Kerala
Kerala continues to resist BJP’s advances. The political space remains tightly held by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Though the BJP managed to secure a single Lok Sabha seat in 2024, it lacks a deep-rooted support base in the state. The RSS is making attempts to penetrate rural areas, but ideological barriers and entrenched vote banks pose serious challenges. BJP’s presence remains minimal for now, though the party sees long-term potential through youth outreach and issue-based politics.
A Calculated Southern Strategy
The BJP’s approach to the South is multi-layered—undermining dominant parties, grooming new faces, forging strategic alliances, and leveraging cultural icons. With PM Modi leading the charge, the party hopes to transform its modest electoral gains into sustained political relevance across southern India.
