Two of Tamil Nadu's leading opposition parties, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have allied again to take on the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the 2026 assembly polls.
This partnership is not unexpected, considering the parties' past cooperation, but it's interesting that they separated in 2023 over issues with then-state BJP President K Annamalai. With Nainar Nagendran becoming the BJP's Tamil Nadu president, the stage was set for a reunion.
The Alliance: Key Highlights
Leadership: AIADMK will be headed at the state level by Edappadi K Palaniswami, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that the elections will be contested under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Common Minimum Programme: Shah hinted at the option of developing a common minimum programme if necessary so that there could be a collective approach towards the elections.
No Intervention: BJP has promised that it will not meddle in AIADMK's internal affairs, encouraging a harmonious alliance.
The Context: 2021 Assembly Elections
In the 2021 assembly elections, the DMK, under the leadership of M K Stalin, won 133 seats, whereas the AIADMK-BJP alliance secured 75 seats, with AIADMK getting 66. Though there was a difference in the number of seats, the vote share between DMK (37.7%) and AIADMK (33.29%) was quite close, with a difference of only 4%.
The Significance of Nagendran's Appointment
Nagendran's selection as BJP Tamil Nadu president is viewed as an attempt to achieve caste and region balancing. Since he belongs to the dominant Thevar community from Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu, his induction is believed to consolidate the party's presence there. His experience with AIADMK, holding a minister's post as well, increases his credentials.
Challenges Ahead
The alliance has a major threat from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) headed by actor Vijay that can potentially divide anti-DMK votes. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is optimistic and claims that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will easily win in Tamil Nadu ¹.