Amit Shah Participates in BJP’s Pongal Event in Tamil Nadu Ahead of 2026 Polls

Union Home Minister Amit Shah actively participated in the vibrant "Namma Ooru Modi Pongal" celebrations, meticulously organized by the BJP Mahila Morcha at Mannarpuram ground in Tiruchirappalli on January 5, 2026. The event showcased traditional harvest festival rituals, with Pongal being prepared in an impressive array of 1,008 ornately decorated earthen pots, each flanked by fresh sugarcanes, symbolizing prosperity and cultural heritage while integrating political messaging centered on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives.

Upon his arrival, Shah was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm by thousands of party cadres who lined the venue, creating an energetic atmosphere reflective of the BJP's growing organizational strength in Tamil Nadu. He personally engaged in the ceremonial cooking process alongside party workers, stirring the Pongal dish in one of the pots, an act that highlighted direct interaction with grassroots supporters and aimed to foster deeper connections with the local populace.

The gathering saw the presence of several key BJP figures, including national Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan, Tamil Nadu state president Nainar Nagenthran, Union Minister L. Murugan, and former state president K. Annamalai. Their collective participation reinforced the party's unified front and strategic focus on women's empowerment and cultural outreach through the Mahila Morcha's leadership in hosting the program.

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Prior to the festivities, Shah undertook spiritual visits to two iconic and ancient temples in the region—the Sri Jambukeshwar Akilandeshwari Temple in Thiruvanaikaval and the revered Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam—where he performed darshan and prayers. These temple visits complemented the day's activities, projecting an image of reverence for Tamil Nadu's rich religious traditions while engaging with devotees and priests.

The Pongal celebration serves as a component of the BJP's extensive campaign to localize national leadership and highlight central government schemes during the festival season, positioning it as a platform for political mobilization ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The previous day's rally in Pudukkottai saw Shah launch sharp critiques against the DMK, branding it as highly corrupt, accusing it of disparaging Hindu sentiments, and confidently forecasting an NDA triumph that would dismantle entrenched family-dominated governance in the state.

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