Chennai: Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, will launch the final phase of his statewide election campaign from April 2, intensifying preparations for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 scheduled for April 23.

The campaign, titled “Protect the People; Retrieve Tamil Nadu”, will run until April 19 and aims to consolidate support for candidates of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) across key constituencies.

As the poll date approaches, the AIADMK has planned a high-energy election campaign strategy to strengthen its presence in crucial electoral regions. According to the campaign schedule, Palaniswami will begin his tour by focusing on northern and central districts between April 2 and 6.

The first leg will cover Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram, before extending to Puducherry and Cuddalore—regions considered critical battlegrounds for improving the party’s electoral performance.

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The campaign will then move to Perambalur and Salem, followed by an intensive two-day outreach in Chennai on April 8 and 9. The Chennai leg is expected to be strategically significant, with several constituencies witnessing close contests among major political parties.

From April 10 to 14, the campaign will shift to the Cauvery delta and southern districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Theni, and Madurai—regions that have historically played a decisive role in Tamil Nadu elections.

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The final phase, scheduled between April 15 and 19, will focus on the western Kongu belt, covering Karur, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Erode, Namakkal, and Salem, widely regarded as a stronghold of the AIADMK. The campaign will conclude with major public meetings in the Salem district.

This final push follows the completion of seat-sharing arrangements within the NDA alliance. The AIADMK has allotted 27 seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, and 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.

Expressing confidence, Palaniswami has set an ambitious target of winning 210 out of 234 Assembly seats, asserting that the NDA is positioned for a decisive victory in the Tamil Nadu polls 2026.

IANS