CHENNAI/TIRUCHY: With Pongal fast approaching and the 2026 Assembly elections firmly on the political horizon, the AIADMK–BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu is yet to resolve its most critical challenge: securing a broad and credible coalition.
Former and potential allies, including the PMK, DMDK, and AMMK, have stopped short of committing to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), opting instead to keep channels open with multiple players and strengthen their bargaining positions.
The lack of progress has assumed added significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take part in Pongal celebrations in Tamil Nadu alongside alliance leaders, a high-visibility event seen as a symbolic launch of the NDA's Assembly election campaign and a counter-narrative to the DMK-led front. However, the outreach efforts by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in Tamil Nadu for a two-day visit, have so far not translated into concrete political realignments.
That AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami did not met Shah during the visit did not go unnoticed. Instead, it was senior leader SP Velumani who was deputed to meet Shah on Sunday and Monday. Though a group of leaders accompanied Velumani for the meeting on Monday, Shah opted to meet only Velumani, sources said, and added that the discussions, which went on for more than 1.5 hours, was attended by BJP's Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal, Union Minister L Murugan, State president Nainar Nagenthran, and a few BJP core committee members.
Leaders from both parties remained tightlipped about what transpired in the meeting, though sources said seat-sharing and bringing in more parties to NDA were among the key points of discussion.
Senior BJP leaders attribute the impasse primarily to 'electoral bargaining' over seat-sharing and political relevance. In the 2024 parliamentary elections, parties such as the PMK, AMMK, the OPS faction and TMMK were NDA constituents, while the DMDK aligned with the AIADMK. The BJP's reunion with the AIADMK has since altered the equation, leaving former allies hesitant to reaffirm their positions.
"The DMDK has indicated that it will announce its decision only on January 9. The PMK is internally divided and has not sent out a clear signal. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran has said a decision will come only in February. OPS continues silence. Every party is simultaneously negotiating with multiple fronts," a senior BJP functionary told DT Next, outlining the fluid scenario.
While Shah’s visit underlined the BJP's renewed partnership with the AIADMK, it failed to trigger fresh inductions into the NDA at a time when the ruling DMK is already projecting campaign readiness.
Shah is learnt to have recalibrated the party's immediate strategy. At a core committee meeting in Tiruchy on Sunday, he reportedly directed State-level BJP leaders to intensify outreach to caste and community leaders across Tamil Nadu to consolidate grassroots support. He is also said to have set a clear electoral objective: restricting the DMK-led front's tally to below 100 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections and positioning the NDA to form a coalition government.
At present, the NDA in Tamil Nadu comprises the BJP and AIADMK, supported by a handful of smaller allies such as the TMC (Moopanar) and the New Justice Party. "We are working to expand the alliance and present a credible alternative to the DMK-led front. But former allies are consciously prolonging talks to enhance their bargaining power, which is delaying decision-making and affecting cadre morale," another leader said.
The prolonged uncertainty has also disrupted campaign planning. "We were confident of finalising the alliance before Pongal and moving swiftly to seat-sharing discussions. Now, even confirming the alliance framework has become difficult," a BJP leader admitted.