The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking the revival of a key alliance ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming AIADMK’s return, said on X, “Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadu’s progress! Glad that AIADMK joins the NDA family… We will ensure a government that fulfils the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji.” He also took a direct swipe at the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), accusing it of being “corrupt and divisive” and urging its removal to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s culture and future.
Shah Declares EPS as NDA’s CM Face
During a high-profile visit to Chennai, Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially announced that Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), AIADMK’s General Secretary, will lead the NDA in Tamil Nadu and be its Chief Ministerial candidate in 2026. Shah called the reunion a “natural partnership”, citing shared ideological ground and political history.
This announcement comes after the 2023 split, caused largely by remarks from Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai, who had offended AIADMK by criticizing Dravidian icons CN Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa. That fallout weakened both parties in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, prompting leaders on both sides to consider reconciliation.
The Road to Reunion
Behind the scenes, efforts to revive the alliance had been underway for weeks. Shah’s Chennai visit included strategic discussions with senior BJP and RSS leaders, as well as a private meeting with S. Gurumurthy, a key RSS ideologue and editor of Thuglak magazine. Political observers say these meetings were instrumental in forging a new consensus.
AIADMK leaders SP Velumani and KP Munusamy had earlier met Shah in Delhi, further fuelling speculation. A critical moment came on April 4, when Annamalai voluntarily announced that he would not seek any party post and would serve as a grassroots cadre — a move seen as removing a major roadblock to the BJP-AIADMK reunion.
What This Means for Tamil Nadu
The BJP-AIADMK alliance is now gearing up to challenge the DMK in 2026, hoping to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiment and unify voter blocs. The BJP is banking on AIADMK’s deep-rooted presence in Tamil Nadu politics, while the AIADMK sees an opportunity to return to power with national backing.
Analysts say this renewed partnership could shift political dynamics in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK remains dominant. The 2021 Assembly elections saw AIADMK win 66 seats and BJP just four, but combined, they aim to present a stronger challenge in the next round.
