Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday formally announced that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for a joint campaign in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, HM Shah described the AIADMK-BJP alliance as a “natural partnership” and confirmed that Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), AIADMK’s general secretary, will be the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate in the state.
The declaration marks a significant political shift and revives a partnership that had collapsed in September 2023 following a bitter fallout.
The split was largely triggered by controversial remarks made by Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, which offended the AIADMK leadership.
His comments about revered Dravidian leaders like C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa had sparked outrage within the AIADMK and led to a public rift between the two parties.
The two parties had previously contested together in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections.
In the 2021 polls, the BJP won four seats while the AIADMK secured 66.
However, relations soured after Annamalai’s appointment as state BJP chief, ultimately leading to the alliance’s breakdown ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The split proved costly, as both parties suffered significant setbacks in the 2024 polls.
HM Shah arrived in Chennai in the early hours of Friday and was received at the airport by key BJP leaders, including state president K. Annamalai, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, and senior figures Tamilisai Soundararajan, Nainar Nagendran, and Pon Radhakrishnan.
During his visit, HM Shah held crucial discussions with senior BJP and RSS leaders, including a private meeting with S. Gurumurthy, editor of Thuglak magazine and an influential RSS ideologue.
These meetings were part of a strategic move to revive the alliance ahead of the 2026 elections.
Political observers note that the groundwork for this reunion had already been laid weeks earlier. EPS, along with senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy, had met HM Shah in New Delhi — a meeting that sparked widespread speculation about a possible rapprochement.
According to sources, the AIADMK leadership requested the BJP high command to consider replacing K. Annamalai to smoothen relations between the two parties.
In a significant development, Annamalai announced on April 4 that he was not seeking any official position within the party and would continue to serve as a loyal cadre — a statement that may have paved the way for renewed negotiations.
Senior RSS functionaries reportedly played a key role in reviving the alliance, urging the BJP central leadership to rebuild ties with a major Dravidian party.
With the DMK seen as a political adversary, the AIADMK emerged as the only viable option for the BJP to regain ground in Tamil Nadu. The announcement is expected to bring about a significant realignment in state politics.
With nearly a year left until the 2026 Assembly polls, both parties are likely to begin groundwork for campaign coordination, candidate selection, and constituency-level planning.
The revived alliance could reshape the electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu, as the NDA attempts to position itself as a serious contender against the ruling DMK.
Political analysts believe that a united AIADMK-BJP front could tap into anti-incumbency sentiment and mobilise key voter blocs across the state.
As the countdown to the 2026 elections begins, all eyes will now be on how this renewed alliance translates into on-the-ground momentum in one of India's most politically vibrant states.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.