CHENNAI: Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who was recently appointed as the BJP's election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, is set to formally initiate alliance talks with the AIADMK and other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents during a one-day visit to the city on Tuesday, signalling the start of the saffron party's seat-sharing exercise ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

According to BJP sources, Goyal will begin the day with consultations with senior BJP leaders and core committee members at Kamalalayam, the TN BJP headquarters, to review the party's organisational preparedness and electoral strategy. The discussions are expected to focus on booth-level strengthening, campaign architecture, and coordination among alliance partners.

He will then proceed to a closed-door meeting with alliance partners at a hotel in MRC Nagar.

Sources said Goyal is likely to meet AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami at the same venue, marking the first formal high-level interaction between the two leaders since Goyal assumed charge. Seat-sharing arrangements and the broader contours of the NDA coalition are expected to dominate the discussions.

Palaniswami's arrival in Chennai from Salem on Monday has already fuelled speculation about the pace and direction of alliance negotiations. While there has been no official confirmation from either side, BJP insiders indicated that backchannel consultations have been under way for several weeks.

Later in the day, Goyal is also scheduled to call on Governor RN Ravi at Lok Bhavan, where discussions are expected to touch upon administrative and political developments in the State.

Senior BJP leaders said the high command's decision to entrust Goyal with the Tamil Nadu mandate reflects its intent to stitch together a cohesive and expansive NDA well ahead of the election cycle. "The focus is on early clarity, mutual accommodation and a united front against the ruling DMK, " a senior leader told DT Next.

Goyal is expected to return to New Delhi the same evening after concluding his engagements.