As speculation over a renewed alliance between the AIADMK and BJP gains traction, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has hinted that discussions are still ongoing. This comes despite the AIADMK’s repeated assertion that no such talks are taking place. However, both Annamalai and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS) have met Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah in New Delhi over the past week, fueling speculation of a possible political realignment.
On March 28, Amit Shah, in an interview with Times Now, stated, “As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, our friends in AIADMK and our party members are in discussions. Whenever it is announced, it will be known to the nation.” Shah also accused the ruling DMK of corruption and misgovernance, expressing confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the government in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly elections.
Upon his return from New Delhi on March 30, Annamalai told reporters at the Coimbatore airport, “I do not wish to speak about the alliance. What Amit Shah told Times Now is the last word on the matter.” He further added, “I don’t go back on what I say. At the same time, I am a party worker and the party comes first. As I already said in Delhi, there will be no trouble because of me for anyone.”
Earlier, during his Delhi visit, Annamalai had stated, “Our doors are always open to any leader who wants to join the NDA. Anyone joining us with the sole aim of dethroning the DMK is welcome.”
Contrary to this, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami denied speculations of an alliance with the BJP. After meeting Amit Shah on March 25, when the AIADMK general secretary was questioned about the possibility of an alliance renewal, he said, “It’s only the media that keeps saying so. No such talks took place. We came here to talk about the people’s problems.”
“There is still a year left for the elections. Statements like ‘they are forming an alliance’ or ‘talks are ongoing’ may be good for your breaking news, but we are here only to speak about the people’s problems.”
He reiterated his position upon his return to Chennai, maintaining that there were no alliance talks and that his focus remained on resolving state-related issues.
Adding to the confusion, senior AIADMK leader K Sengottaiyan made an unexpected trip to Delhi and met with Amit Shah on March 29. EPS claimed that neither he nor the party leadership was aware of Sengottaiyan’s visit. Sengottaiyan, who has held key portfolios under former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has recently been at the center of speculation about internal rifts within the AIADMK.
In February, he notably skipped a felicitation event for EPS organised by farmers for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. Sengottaiyan justified his absence by claiming discomfort over the exclusion of MGR and Jayalalithaa’s photographs at the event. AIADMK leader D Jayakumar dismissed this as a non-issue, stating that the event was organised by farmers, not the party, and there was no obligation to display their photos. However, Sengottaiyan’s actions have fueled persistent rumors of discord within AIADMK.
Since walking out of the NDA in 2023, the AIADMK has maintained that it will not revive its ties with the BJP. The party has been openly critical of the Union government, particularly regarding contentious issues such as the NEP, the three-language policy, and delimitation. AIADMK leader Jayakumar even represented the party at an all-party meeting convened by the DMK to oppose delimitation.
On March 27, the AIADMK also supported a DMK-led resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly opposing the Union government’s Waqf Amendment Bill, further demonstrating its opposition to BJP policies.