In a major political realignment ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have officially reunited under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) banner. The announcement was made in Chennai by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who confirmed that Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) would lead the coalition in Tamil Nadu.

This marks a significant political U-turn after the AIADMK severed ties with the BJP in September 2023 over controversial remarks made by then Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai. However, on April 11, 2025, the two parties buried past differences to reignite their alliance.

EPS took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “unwavering support.” Sharing the hashtag #MakeTNProsperousAgain, EPS posted, “Together, we are committed to building a greater Tamil Nadu—one free from dynastic politics, corruption, and misgovernance.”

In his message, Palaniswami emphasized the shared vision of the NDA, stating, “We are honoured to be welcomed into a partnership with NDA. An alliance founded on a shared vision for Tamil Nadu’s progress and prosperity.”

He further stated that AIADMK will now work in close cooperation with the NDA to fulfill the aspirations of Tamil Nadu’s people, under the transformative leadership of PM Modi.

Amit Shah Confirms EPS as Alliance Leader

Amit Shah, during his visit to Chennai, lauded the AIADMK for their decision and confirmed that the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections will be contested under the leadership of EPS. Interestingly, Annamalai, whose remarks were the cause of the 2023 fallout, was also present at the alliance announcement.

“The AIADMK has no conditions and demands. There will be no interference in their internal matters. This alliance will prove beneficial to both the NDA and AIADMK,” Shah assured.

This declaration has stirred the political pot in Tamil Nadu, sparking sharp responses from opposition parties.

Congress and DMK React Sharply

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and DMK MP Kanimozhi were quick to criticize the renewed alliance. Chidambaram dubbed the move as “forced,” citing the AIADMK’s previous exit from the NDA due to BJP’s unpopularity in Tamil Nadu.

“At one point, people used to go to the AIADMK for alliances. Now, they have to fly to Delhi to beg for one,” Chidambaram mocked. He labeled AIADMK as a “greatly diminished party” and highlighted EPS’s consistent electoral failures post his CM tenure.

Meanwhile, Kanimozhi accused EPS of hypocrisy. She recalled how he had publicly declared that AIADMK would never align with BJP again after the latter insulted AIADMK leadership.

“Today we saw him silently watching as Amit Shah announced the alliance. He didn’t even speak. We now know who leads this alliance and who is forced to follow,” Kanimozhi remarked.

A Political Reversal and Strategic Calculus

The AIADMK-BJP reunion is being seen as a strategic move for both parties. For the BJP, which has long struggled to make inroads into Tamil Nadu politics, the AIADMK's cadre base offers a stronger foothold. For AIADMK, whose electoral strength has been on the decline since the demise of J. Jayalalithaa, this alliance brings national-level support and resources.

The 2026 elections will be the third consecutive Assembly poll where EPS leads the AIADMK. Critics point out that AIADMK has faced defeats in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 2021 Assembly elections, and 2024 Lok Sabha polls, raising questions over his leadership.

Despite the criticism, EPS is confident. He projected the new alliance as a “transparent, development-focused government”, and added that the partnership with NDA would be “a crucial step toward fulfilling the developmental aspirations of Tamil Nadu.”

Historical Context of the AIADMK-BJP Relationship

The alliance history between AIADMK and BJP has been turbulent. While the parties joined forces during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, they have had periodic fallouts based on both ideological and personality clashes.

The most recent rift in 2023 stemmed from remarks made by Annamalai, where he allegedly insulted iconic AIADMK leaders, including Jayalalithaa and CN Annadurai, provoking a strong reaction from AIADMK's rank and file. EPS had at that time declared that AIADMK would never align with BJP again.

This recent alliance, therefore, is being seen not just as strategic, but also ironic, as EPS silently stood next to the same BJP leaders AIADMK had once rebuked.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The AIADMK-BJP tie-up significantly alters the electoral landscape of Tamil Nadu. While the DMK-Congress alliance remains strong and confident, especially after a decisive win in the 2024 General Elections, the AIADMK-BJP alliance now aims to challenge the ruling DMK on issues of governance, corruption, and development.

Political analysts believe that caste dynamics, urban-rural divides, and youth engagement will play a key role in the 2026 outcome.

However, AIADMK’s alignment with BJP may still face resistance from sections of Tamil Nadu voters who view the BJP’s ideology as contrary to Dravidian principles. This is a challenge the newly-forged alliance must overcome through strategic messaging and localised campaigning.

Conclusion

The re-formation of the AIADMK-BJP alliance for the 2026 Assembly elections is a pivotal development in Tamil Nadu politics. While it may reshape the electoral equations, questions about ideological coherence, leadership credibility, and public perception remain.

The months leading up to the polls will test the alliance’s resilience, strategic planning, and ability to resonate with the Tamil voter base. As it stands, the political landscape of Tamil Nadu has entered a new chapter—one that promises high-stakes battles and dramatic turns.

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