Early leads suggesting Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) could cross the 100-seat mark have reignited quiet speculation in Chennai’s political circles. But any talk of an alliance with AIADMK leaves little room for reconciliation.

Both sides had ruled out a pre-election alliance. Still, TVK’s surprising strong debut has kept post-poll equations very much in play.

Back in late 2025, there were behind-the-scenes feelers. AIADMK is understood to have explored a possible arrangement with TVK, but talks quickly ran aground. The sticking point: TVK’s insistence on leading the alliance, projecting Vijay as Chief Minister, and contesting about half of the state’s 234 seats was unwilling to accept.

After the collapse, AIADMK drifted back towards the BJP-led NDA fold, while TVK committed to contesting all seats independently.

TVK had repeatedly dismissed alliance rumours. Vijay’s campaign messaging turned more combative, targeting both the ruling DMK and the BJP.

In March 2026, party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami publicly rejected any tie-up with TVK.

That chapter is now closed. The election has unfolded as a three-way contest across the state, with each side standing firm on its no-alliance stance.

Yet, the bigger question may come after the votes are fully counted. If the Assembly delivers a fractured mandate and TVK secures a good numbers, political compulsions could revive conversations once deemed impossible. Any such move, however, would require both parties to dramatically shift positions.