In a key political breakthrough, AIADMK and BJP have renewed their tie-up almost two years after breaking up. Union Minister Amit Shah, at a press meet on Friday, April 11, made it official that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be fought under the guidance of AIADMK Chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS).
Shah used the opportunity to attack the ruling DMK, charging that they were sidetracking people from important issues by bringing up subjects such as delimitation, NEET, and the three-language policy.
Palaniswami conveyed his party's appreciation for the new alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stressing that the alliance was based on a common vision of the future of Tamil Nadu. "We are privileged to join hands with the NDA, an alliance built on a common pledge to Tamil Nadu's progress," he posted on social media.
But the DMK promptly responded, condemning the AIADMK for reviving its alliance with the BJP. Party MP Kanimozhi termed it as a "betrayal" of the interests of the state, stating that the people of Tamil Nadu would give this union a fitting reply in the elections.
The alliance was formed after a day of deliberations and consultations, including a meeting between Amit Shah and RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy. This is the second time in recent years that AIADMK and BJP are coming together after their earlier alliance during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2021 state polls.
At the press conference, Shah stated, “The leaders of AIADMK and BJP have resolved to fight the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections together, with allies under the NDA banner. The election will be contested at the national level under PM Modi’s leadership, and at the state level under EPS's leadership.”
Shah also brought to the mind of the gathering the historical alliance between AIADMK and the NDA, reminding them of the 1998 general election when the alliance had secured 30 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. He was sure that the NDA would secure a big majority in the 2026 elections, setting up a new government in the state.
Questioned whether the NDA would constitute a coalition government if it won, Shah reaffirmed that it would be so, with other details to be finalized post-election. He also clarified that the AIADMK's joining the NDA was not accompanied by any conditions of sharing of leadership in the BJP but was a mutually advantageous alliance.
Shah also spoke about the internal factions of the AIADMK, specifically the ousted leaders such as O. Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, who were in the NDA for the 2024 general elections. He said that BJP would not meddle in AIADMK's internal affairs, and decisions regarding such issues would be left to the party's state units.
The Union Minister blamed the DMK-ruled state government, charging them with adopting distractions like Sanatan Dharma and the three-language formula to divert attention from critical matters such as corruption, law and order, and failures in governance. He pinpointed several suspected scams, such as a ₹39,000 crore liquor scam, sand mining problems, and other allegations of corruption against the state government, and said the public was asking questions from CM M.K. Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Regarding the AIADMK's stand on these topics, Shah said the specifics would be talked about and if the need arises, a Common Minimum Programme would be formed.
Shah also addressed the timing of the press conference, which was delayed by a few hours, suggesting that extensive talks were underway to ensure the longevity and stability of the renewed alliance. He also emphasized the BJP’s respect for Tamil culture and language, citing Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to honor Tamil Nadu’s heritage, such as installing the ‘Sengol’ in the new Parliament building.
In his valedictory speech, Palaniswami thanked PM Modi for his consistent support to the AIADMK. "We are proud to join hands with the NDA to fulfill the dreams of the Tamil Nadu people," he repeated the alliance's determination to make the state corruption and dynastic politics-free.
Palaniswami invited Shah for dinner at his place later in the evening to further seal the alliance.
At the same time, the DMK condemned the alliance, and MP Kanimozhi alleged that the AIADMK was retracting their earlier stance against numerous Central government policies. "People will teach this alliance a lesson," she asserted and pointed out that Palaniswami, having opposed the BJP's positions on crucial matters in the past, was speechless at the press meet.
With the political climate in Tamil Nadu intensifying in the lead-up to the 2026 Assembly polls, the newly developed AIADMK-BJP alliance is likely to be a make-or-break feature in the politics of the state in the near future.
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