‘PM Narendra Modi campaigns for DMK more than he does for BJP’

The 2024 Lok Sabha poll in Coimbatore has become a battle of prestige for DMK, which has pitted Ganapathi P Rajkumar, against BJP state president K Annamalai. Handpicked by chief minister M K Stalin as election-in-charge for this hotly contested seat, TN industries minister T R B Raaja has been touring the constituency, visiting tribal hamlets, meeting industrialists and drumming up support for DMK. In an interview with V Mayilvaganan, Rajaa says there is a groundswell of support for DMK. “BJP will be so badly defeated in Coimbatore that its high command will shunt Annamalai out of the party chief’s position,” he says. Excerpts: