Chennai, 21 April (H.S.): A.N.S. Prasad, spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is witnessing a strong surge in public support across the state as campaigning for the Assembly elections draws to a close.

In a statement issued on the final day of campaigning, Prasad said the NDA — led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and comprising the BJP, PMK, AMMK and other allies — is heading towards a decisive mandate in the April 23 polls.

Expressing confidence in the alliance’s prospects, he said AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is poised to form the next government after the results are announced on May 4.

Prasad attributed the NDA’s momentum to the large crowds witnessed at rallies addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari across key cities such as Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli.

At the same time, the BJP leader launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its alliance partner, the Congress, alleging a lack of coordination between the two parties.

Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent campaign visits, Prasad claimed that Gandhi did not consistently share the stage with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and made limited references to him in his speeches, indicating internal differences within the alliance.

He further alleged that certain campaign developments and statements by opposition leaders point to growing unease among DMK allies.

However, the DMK and its partners, including the Congress led by Mallikarjun Kharge, have rejected these claims, maintaining that their alliance remains cohesive and focused on governance and welfare.

Polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 23, with results to be declared on May 4. The contest is primarily between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman