AIADMK-BJP reunite for Tamil Nadu elections 2026, Amit Shah confirms EPS-led alliance
PTC Web Desk: In a major political development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the AIADMK and BJP will jointly contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for 2026. The announcement came during a joint press conference in Chennai, where Amit Shah confirmed that the alliance will be led by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
This renewed alliance marks a significant step in Tamil Nadu politics, with the two parties having previously joined forces during earlier elections, including the 2021 Assembly polls.
"We will prepare a common minimum programme if required," Amit Shah stated, flanked by EPS and outgoing Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai. Amit Shah recalled the historic victory in the 1998 Lok Sabha Elections, where the BJP-AIADMK alliance, under the leadership of J Jayalalithaa, secured 30 out of 39 seats in the state.
Expressing confidence in the alliance, Amit Shah said, "The NDA will secure a comfortable victory in Tamil Nadu." He also clarified that the BJP will respect the autonomy of AIADMK and will not interfere in its internal matters.
Responding humorously to questions on alliance logistics, Amit Shah said, "Let us also do some work. You don't need to worry about everything. Leave some concerns for us to manage."
Meanwhile, in a separate yet timely announcement, the BJP appointed Nainar Nagenthiran as the new state president, replacing K. Annamalai. Shah appreciated Annamalai's "unprecedented contributions" and confirmed that he would now be utilized at the national level, leveraging his organizational strengths within the party’s broader framework.
Party sources clarified that the decision to change the BJP’s state leadership was independent of the renewed AIADMK alliance. The groundwork for this coalition had already been laid well before the leadership shift.
After the passing of Jayalalithaa in 2016, AIADMK’s electoral performance saw a dip. The party allied with BJP in both the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2021 Assembly elections, where the BJP managed to win four seats. However, the coalition broke in 2023, only to be revived now ahead of the crucial 2026 battle.
- With inputs from agencies
