Shooting down political commentary that the BJP may have miscalculated its seat selection in Tamil Nadu, State BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan told CNBC-TV18 that she was confident of winning in one of the state’s most politically sensitive constituencies.

The BJP had surprised poll analysts when it announced that Soundararajan would be the candidate for Tuticorin, which saw massive protests in May 2018, after 13 Anti-Sterlite protesters were shot dead by police personnel while agitating against Vedanta’s copper smelter unit in the district. Tuticorin has ever since been characterized by heavy anti-incumbency against the ruling AIADMK government, which is in alliance with the BJP.

‘Sterlite Copper not the only election issue’

“I totally deny it,” said Soundararajan, while responding to CNBC-TV18’s questions over whether the saffron party may have miscalculated by fielding a heavyweight candidate like herself in a constituency that is likely to be impacted by anti-incumbency.

“This is a constituency, which should be developed. It was an industrial hub previously, and ample natural resources are here,” Soundararajan added, “Sterlite isn’t the only issue for Tuticorin. I want to develop this constituency; I volunteered to contest from here.”

The BJP president pointed out that some protesters had even claimed that they were coerced into protesting against Sterlite Copper. “The issue was falsely propagated against the BJP,” she said, “There is no anti-incumbency here.”

‘Kanimozhi has no claim to Tuticorin’

Incidentally, Tamilisai Soundararajan will be facing off against another high-profile candidate from the DMK. The Dravidan party is fielding its most well-known face in parliament, M Kanimozhi, who is also the daughter of former Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravidian icon, M Karunanidhi.

Soundararajan wasted in no time in questioning Kanimozhi’s claim to contest from the constituency. “I am from down South; my native place is here, my parents were born here and my father contested three times from the Tuticorin assembly segment of Sathankulam” she told CNBC-TV18.

“Ask Kanimozhi why she chose Tuticorin (to contest in), while residing in Chennai. Neither her father nor her mother is from here. I am a daughter of the soil, and I feel Tuticorin cannot be ignored.”

First Published:Apr 2, 2019 1:01 PM IST