LS polls: TN, Bengal make maximum requests to EC for rallies, banner displays, helicopter use

With 39 parliamentary seats up for grabs, this southern state with its own distinctive political culture is probably going to see a three-way contest between the DMK-INDIA alliance, AIADMK and the BJP-led NDA alliance. The stakes are high as the BJP is desperate to make inroads into the state with a combative state chief K Annamalai at the helm, while the AIADMK weakened by internal strife needs to stay relevant, and the ruling DMK backed by a strong Dravidian legacy needs to ensure they do not lose any ground in this election.

In this scenario, two weeks after the election dates were announced and the model code of conduct became active, electoral data shows that Tamil Nadu is the most politically active in the country when it comes to election campaigning, in the run up to the seven-phase 2024 Lok Sabha elections all set to begin on April 19.

Tamil Nadu tops the list

According to figures released by the Election Commission, Tamil Nadu saw the maximum number of requests from political parties and candidates to stage rallies, for pamphlet distribution, displaying banners and flags, to set up a temporary political office, for door-to-door canvassing, vehicle permits, for the use of helicopters and helipads etc.

Out of the 73,379 requests made, Tamil Nadu topped the list with a whopping 23,239 requests followed by West Bengal with 11,976 requests and Madhya Pradesh 10,636.

Not much action in other south states

Tamil Nadu’s neighbour Karnataka, where Congress is engaged in a fierce battle against the BJP-JDS alliance only made 2,689 requests for approvals dealing with election campaigning. The other southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana too saw few requests. AP only made 1,153, while Congress-led Telangana had 836 requests only.

Surprisingly, Kerala, which is witnessing fierce electoral battles in most of its 20 Lok Sabha constituencies, has made just 1,411 requests to the EC for approvals for rallies and the like.

Political parties in Kerala, currently angling for the 18 per cent Christian population in the state, seem to be busy fighting the electoral battles through films. While one faction is screening the ‘Kerala Story’, a church under the Syro-Malabar faction has screened a documentary relating to the Manipur violence titled 'Cry of the Oppressed'.

West Bengal remains active

West Bengal has 42 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha, the highest after Uttar Pradesh (80) and Maharashtra (48) and the state plays an important role in shaping the national political landscape. It is a high-stakes political battle in the state, known for its contentious politics. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing one of her toughest challenges from the BJP, which managed to win 18 seats in the 2019 elections. Ruling Trinamool Congress had won 22 seats.

The BJP is banking on PM Modi's charisma, its Hindutva agenda combined with a nationalist rhetoric, and the Sandeshkhali Nari Shakti narrative to bolster its electoral prospects.

While the TMC is emphasising its track record of governance and development, while also trying to capitalise on the Centre playing tough with States card to rally support. So, not surprising that Bengal, with its combative political cutlure, had the second highest requests to the EC for running their high-powered election campaigns. Bengal had the second highest number of requests with 11,976.

The third highest was the volatile political playground in the state of Uttar Pradesh. UP had a relatively lower number with 3,273 requests.

Assam, Tripura, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka were all in the range of 2,000 plus. Tripura is all set to witness an electoral battle between the ruling BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc partners, Congress and CPI (M). The state’s main regional party TIPRA Motha is aligned with the BJP.

Notably, both Lok Sabha seats in Tripura are currently held by the BJP, who won the 2019 general elections with a thumping majority.

Minimum electoral campaign requests