AIADMK-BJP alliance buzz in Tamil Nadu: Palaniswami meets Amit Shah, Annamalai follows

Chennai: As speculation over a revived AIADMK-BJP alliance grows, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, reportedly setting conditions for an electoral partnership, including keeping Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai out of alliance discussions. Just two days later, Annamalai also travelled to Delhi for talks with Shah, fueling further political intrigue.

Palaniswami’s Delhi visit and AIADMK’s alliance stance

During his meeting with Amit Shah, Palaniswami reportedly discussed various Tamil Nadu-related issues, including TASMAC liquor scam probe by the Enforcement Directorate, The National Education Policy’s language formula and Railway infrastructure and central fund allocations

However, Palaniswami denied discussing an alliance, dismissing media reports as speculation. "There is nothing related to an alliance. We came here for people’s issues. The media is creating sensational news about alliances. There is still one year left for the election," he stated.

Despite this public stance, reports suggest AIADMK is reconsidering its break from the BJP, fearing that a divided opposition would give the ruling DMK an advantage in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Sources indicate that during his meeting with Shah, Palaniswami outlined specific conditions for a renewed alliance inluded Annamalai should be excluded from negotiations, AIADMK must lead the alliance and a coordination committee should be set up to communicate directly with BJP’s national leadership

Palaniswami reportedly has no objection to the inclusion of T T V Dhinakaran, V K Sasikala, or O Panneerselvam in the alliance but remains firm that Annamalai’s aggressive stance towards AIADMK leaders has been a major roadblock.

Annamalai’s visit to Delhi: A counter move?

Just two days after Palaniswami’s visit, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai travelled to Delhi for a meeting with Amit Shah on Thursday. While the agenda of his discussions remains undisclosed, the timing has sparked speculation about whether the BJP will entertain AIADMK’s demand to sideline him from alliance talks.

The BJP, which won four seats in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, has been working to strengthen its base in the state. Meanwhile, the DMK has continued its electoral dominance, winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the 2021 state elections, and the 2024 general elections.

While AIADMK publicly denies alliance discussions, behind-the-scenes talks between AIADMK and BJP leaders have been ongoing for weeks. With Annamalai’s Delhi visit now in the picture, the BJP leadership faces a key decision—whether to push for an AIADMK reunion or risk contesting alone in Tamil Nadu. The coming weeks may determine the future of AIADMK-BJP relations ahead of the 2026 elections.