Madurai: Half way through, BJP leader LK Advani's yatra has reached Tamil Nadu. The yatra is trying to mobilise not just the party cadre but also sending signals for future partnerships.
It, however, faces political attempt vs facts challenge. Since October last year, the party spearheaded corruption campaign against the UPA which eventually led to the resignation and subsequent arrest of former telecom minister A Raja in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
But seven months later, in May when Tamil Nadu voted, the BJP polled two per cent votes and did not win a single seat. The beneficiary was AIADMK. That's why, at his first outing in Tamil Nadu, Mr Advani blended local concerns with his corruption mantra.
Speaking in Madurai, he said most countries have re-established their nuclear installations after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, especially those near the sea, from a safety point of view.
"The Kudankulam power plant is also located near the sea. Commercial considerations or the fact that the contract has been accepted should not override the safety of the people," Mr Advani said.
His comment came even as locals continued their protests against the controversial Indo-Russian nuclear venture at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district.
This was a deliberate ploy, the sub-text of which is in line with the stand of Jayalalithaa and the protesters. Mr Advani's clearly hinted that the aim of his yatra is not just cadre mobilisation against the Congress, but also win allies for future.
While Mr Advani is trying to strike the right chord in Tamil Nadu, the big question is whether this is an attempt to build the party or to project brand Advani as a prime ministerial candidate?
This is the second dilemma of Advani's yatra. Recently, during Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's sadbhavana fast, AIADMK chief Jayalalitha sent two of her partymen to Ahmedabad making it clear that she favours Mr Modi, and not Mr Advani for the top job or as an alliance leader.
With the Gujarat Chief Minister in the race for the Prime Minister, Mr Advani is projecting himself as the tallest leader.
Today, the senior BJP leader will reach Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, where he will be received by the party state leaders at Aryankavu in Kollam district, sources said.
After the reception, he will drive to the state capital where he will address a public meeting in the evening.
On October 29, he will address the media in the morning and then address road-side meetings in Kottarakkara, Pandalam, Kottayam and Cheerthala while on his way to Kochi, where the day's programme will be wound with a public meeting at Marine Drive in the city.
Mr Advani's yatra has entered its second phase after the Diwali break. From no significant gains in sight in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the yatra will move to Karnataka where it will face the most significant test of projecting his chant against the Congress - over the charges against his party's state government - which has an ex-chief minister in jail struggling for bail.
It, however, faces political attempt vs facts challenge. Since October last year, the party spearheaded corruption campaign against the UPA which eventually led to the resignation and subsequent arrest of former telecom minister A Raja in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
But seven months later, in May when Tamil Nadu voted, the BJP polled two per cent votes and did not win a single seat. The beneficiary was AIADMK. That's why, at his first outing in Tamil Nadu, Mr Advani blended local concerns with his corruption mantra.
Speaking in Madurai, he said most countries have re-established their nuclear installations after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, especially those near the sea, from a safety point of view.
"The Kudankulam power plant is also located near the sea. Commercial considerations or the fact that the contract has been accepted should not override the safety of the people," Mr Advani said.
His comment came even as locals continued their protests against the controversial Indo-Russian nuclear venture at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district.
This was a deliberate ploy, the sub-text of which is in line with the stand of Jayalalithaa and the protesters. Mr Advani's clearly hinted that the aim of his yatra is not just cadre mobilisation against the Congress, but also win allies for future.
While Mr Advani is trying to strike the right chord in Tamil Nadu, the big question is whether this is an attempt to build the party or to project brand Advani as a prime ministerial candidate?
This is the second dilemma of Advani's yatra. Recently, during Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's sadbhavana fast, AIADMK chief Jayalalitha sent two of her partymen to Ahmedabad making it clear that she favours Mr Modi, and not Mr Advani for the top job or as an alliance leader.
With the Gujarat Chief Minister in the race for the Prime Minister, Mr Advani is projecting himself as the tallest leader.
Today, the senior BJP leader will reach Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, where he will be received by the party state leaders at Aryankavu in Kollam district, sources said.
After the reception, he will drive to the state capital where he will address a public meeting in the evening.
On October 29, he will address the media in the morning and then address road-side meetings in Kottarakkara, Pandalam, Kottayam and Cheerthala while on his way to Kochi, where the day's programme will be wound with a public meeting at Marine Drive in the city.
Mr Advani's yatra has entered its second phase after the Diwali break. From no significant gains in sight in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the yatra will move to Karnataka where it will face the most significant test of projecting his chant against the Congress - over the charges against his party's state government - which has an ex-chief minister in jail struggling for bail.
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