Tamil Nadu has in the past witnessed two elections in which Independent candidates secured the backing of a mainstream political party — with strikingly different results. The two instances were separated by nearly 25 years
The timing of these “feelers” is significant. In 2027, seven States go to polls, four of which are ruled by the BJP
The BJP initially capitalised on Hindutva politics in Kanniyakumari, winning its first Assembly seat in 1996; thereafter it tasted success only in alliance with the Dravidian majors; hopes to convert its rising vote share to more seats in 2026