AIADMK General Secretary and Opposition Leader in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday, prompting huge political gossip about a likely return of the AIADMK-BJP alliance.
With Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections just over a year away, the timing of this meeting has raised eyebrows, particularly as the ruling DMK ramps up its campaign on sensitive issues such as delimitation and the state's two-language policy.
Earlier in the day, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan confirmed Palaniswami’s visit to the national capital but remained tight-lipped about the agenda of the discussion.
A Troubled Past
AIADMK and BJP had an alliance in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, where BJP secured four seats. With Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai at the helm, the relationship between the two parties strengthened and they formally separated on September 21, 2023.
The tie turned critical when Annamalai made a controversial comment on the conviction of former Chief Minister and AIADMK veteran J. Jayalalithaa in a corruption case. AIADMK leaders were infuriated by his comment, and they responded with a strongly worded resolution condemning his remark and questioning his political maturity.
Key AIADMK stalwarts have since accused Annamalai of diluting the essence of the alliance and not acknowledging AIADMK's supremacy in the state, a departure from his BJP predecessors who were more diplomatic in their approach.
This fissure led both parties to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls separately, which turned out to be a disastrous experience for both, as the DMK alliance swept all the seats in Tamil Nadu.
A Political Realignment?
With the emergence of new political forces like actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the AIADMK appears to be reassessing its electoral strategy. Political analysts suggest that Palaniswami’s meeting with Shah may be an attempt to build a stronger opposition front against the DMK.
Some insiders speculate that AIADMK may be open to rekindling its alliance with the BJP, but only if Annamalai is replaced as the state party chief.
With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections drawing near, AIADMK and BJP stand to face a decisive test—whether they can mend their fractured relationship and win back the confidence of voters.
The political landscape is in a state of suspense, with both parties under close scrutiny by observers to observe what they would do next.
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