Nearly two years after parting ways, the AIADMK and BJP have formally rekindled their ties for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The announcement came on Friday during a press conference addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would contest under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership at the national level and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami’s leadership in Tamil Nadu.
“AIADMK and BJP will fight the 2026 elections together under the NDA banner,” Shah said. “We are confident of securing a majority and forming a government in Tamil Nadu.”
Historic ‘Alliance’ With AIADMK
The alliance was finalised after day-long negotiations, including Shah’s consultations with RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy. By late afternoon, the two parties—who were part of the NDA in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly polls—reached an agreement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to reporters about the AIADMK’s historical ties with the NDA, dating back to 1998, when the alliance had won 30 of Tamil Nadu’s 39 Lok Sabha seats. He also hailed the relationship once shared by PM Modi and late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa.
DMK Under Fire
The Home Minister launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK, accusing it of widespread corruption and lawlessness. He alleged that the Stalin-led government had diverted attention from core issues by raising topics like the NEET exam, and three-language policy.
“Tamil Nadu has witnessed a breakdown of law and order. Dalits and women face daily atrocities. From liquor to sand mining, energy to transport—scams are surfacing across sectors,” Shah claimed.
He said the public would seek accountability from Chief Minister M K Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin in the upcoming polls.
AIADMK on Center’s Policies
When asked about the AIADMK’s earlier opposition to several central government policies, Shah said the alliance would discuss and resolve differences. “If needed, a Common Minimum Programme will be developed,” he said.
He also clarified there was no interference from the BJP in AIADMK’s internal affairs, particularly regarding expelled leaders O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, who had earlier aligned with the NDA.
Annamalai’s Role
On being asked whether the AIADMK’s return to NDA was contingent on sidelining BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai—whose remarks in 2023 reportedly led to the split—Shah dismissed the speculation. “Annamalai remains the state president,” he said, flanked by both Palaniswami and Annamalai during the announcement.
The press conference, initially delayed by three hours, was held amid ongoing deliberations. “This alliance is for the long run,” Shah said.
Shah also emphasised the BJP’s respect for Tamil culture. He highlighted PM Modi’s initiatives like the installation of the ‘Sengol’ in the new Parliament, the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, and inclusion of Silambam in Khelo India.
“PM Modi has honoured Tamil’s classical heritage—whether by establishing the Central Institute of Classical Tamil or promoting it globally through a Tamil Chair at the University of Houston,” Shah added.
Reacting to the alliance, DMK MP Kanimozhi called it a “betrayal” of Tamil Nadu’s people. “Palaniswami, who earlier opposed the Centre’s policies, sat silently today,” she said. “The people will respond to this opportunistic alliance.”
