Tamil Nadu Parliament Elections 2024: A Political Overview
As the Indian state of Tamil Nadu prepares for the 2024 parliamentary elections, the political atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The elections, scheduled for a single phase on April 19, 2024, will see the state’s 39 Lok Sabha constituencies up for grabs. This election is particularly significant as it may redefine the political landscape of Tamil Nadu and, by extension, influence the national political equilibrium.
The Electoral Battleground:
Tamil Nadu’s political scene has traditionally been dominated by regional parties, with national parties playing a secondary role. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have been the major players, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now making concerted efforts to establish a stronger presence in the state. In Tamil Nadu, there are 3,03,96,330 male voters in the entire electorate, 3,14,85,724 female voters, and 8,294 voters from the third gender. The Chengalpattu district’s Shozhinganallur Assembly constituency has the most electors, with 6,60,419 (male 3,30,522, female 3,29,783, third gender 114)
Key Parties and Alliances:
The DMK, in alliance with the Congress and other regional parties, formed the Secular Progressive Alliance, which secured a resounding victory in the previous elections. The BJP, having set a target of winning 370 seats in the upcoming parliamentary polls, is focusing on improving its performance in Tamil Nadu, where it currently holds a vote share of 3.7%.
- Announcement and Issue of Press Note: 16 March 2024 (Saturday)
- Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: 20 March 2024 (Wednesday)
- Last Date of Making Nominations: 27 March 2024 (Wednesday)
- Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: 28 March 2024 (Thursday)
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures: 30 March 2024 (Saturday)
- Date of Poll: 19 April 2024 (Friday)
- Date of Counting: 04 June 2024 (Tuesday)
- Date before which Election shall be completed: 06 June 2024 (Thursday)
Constituencies and Demographics:
Tamil Nadu sends the highest number of parliamentarians among the southern states, with 32 unreserved seats and seven reserved for candidates from the Scheduled Caste community. The demographics of Tamil Nadu’s electorate are diverse, with a mix of urban, semi-urban, and rural voters, each with distinct priorities and concerns.
Election Issues:
The key issues likely to dominate the election discourse include economic development, job creation, water management, and social justice. The state’s response to recent challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, will also be under scrutiny.
Conclusion
The Tamil Nadu Parliament Elections 2024 are poised to be a pivotal event, with potential implications for both state and national politics. As parties ramp up their campaigns, the electorate’s decision will be keenly awaited, not just within the state but across the entire nation.