CHENNAI: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday night, triggering fresh speculation about his possible return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The meeting with Amit Shah has assumed significance, coming a day after AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami also met the Union Home Minister in New Delhi, and Dhinakaran recently toned down his opposition to the AIADMK chief, claiming that winning is more important than enmity.

According to sources, Shah conveyed to Dhinakaran the possibility of rejoining the NDA and discussed the broader political roadmap in the State.

The BJP is said to be planning a public meeting in Tamil Nadu to bring together NDA leaders, to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his proposed visit to the State.

Sources indicated that Dhinakaran is likely to participate in the meeting, signalling his return to the NDA. Seat-sharing and other election-related matters concerning the AMMK are expected to be handled by the BJP, as the AIADMK has already stated that it will not discuss seat-sharing or other Assembly election-related issues with Dhinakaran.

Sources disclosed that Dhinakaran had conveyed to Shah his willingness to bring his party into the NDA fold.

The AMMK was part of the NDA during the previous Lok Sabha elections, but Dhinakaran exited the alliance after the NDA named AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2026 Assembly polls. Dhinakaran had refused to accept this decision and subsequently distanced himself from the NDA.

Dhinakaran had earlier repeatedly stated that his primary objective in the forthcoming Assembly elections was to defeat Palaniswami, later toning it down.