Annamalai has zero chance in Coimbatore: N Ram

Senior journalist and publisher of the national daily ‘The Hindu’, N Ram expressed his view that the DMK alliance would make a clean sweep in the Lok Sabha polls held recently, there.

His comments gain significance in the wake of a spirited campaign undertaken by the BJP led by its State President K Annamalai and Prime Minister Modi has visited the State many times in the recent past to bolster Annamalai’s efforts.

Annamalai himself is the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Coimbatore.

Speaking to CNBC, N Ram said, “The DMK will benefit because it has a very smooth working arrangement with its allies whereas the AIADMK and BJP are contesting separately. It looks like a sweep for the DMK-led alliance.

The BJP is very weak in seats where its so-called heavyweights are contesting. The arithmetic factor is overwhelmingly in favor of the DMK alliance.”

He further added, “The Ram Temple is a non-issue here and does not resonate with the people of Tamil Nadu, only with a very small section. In fact, the effect of the Ram Temple in the whole of South is very minimal. The BJP is on a very weak wicket in Tamil Nadu.”

About Annamalai, N Ram said, “Annamalai has really gone over the top on many issues for example, with the media and so on. Annamalai has zero chance in Coimbatore. There’s a good chance he’ll end up at number three in Coimbatore in the three-cornered fight between DMK, AIADMK and BJP. Another Minister Muruga who is contesting in the Nilgiris is also a guaranteed loser.”

N Ram concluded by saying that he thought the BJP’s target of 400 seats was a fantasy and not possible.