TVK Vijay would make greater impact in 2026 polls than Vijayakanth in 2006 polls: Dhinakaran

CHENNAI: AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran has observed that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader actor Vijay would make a greater impact in the 2026 elections. Vijay’s maiden poll performance would be better than that of what DMDK founder Vijayakant had in 2006, he said.

Predicting a four-cornered contest in the Assembly elections, Dhinakaran said that the AMMK would clarify its stand on alliances by December. He, however, expressed confidence that the front that has the AMMK would secure victory in the Assembly elections next year.

Meanwhile, Dhinakaran continued to train his guns on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, reiterating that he quit NDA solely because of naming the Leader of Opposition as Chief Ministerial candidate, predicting Palaniswami’s fall from party chief post after 2026 Assembly polls, while declaring that he has no issues with the BJP.

Apart from rejection of Palaniswami’s nomination as the alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate, “the AMMK has no issues with either the BJP or the NDA,” he said.

Dhinakaran alleged that Palaniswami and his ‘coterie’ had altered the party's by-laws framed by founder MG Ramachandran, which enabled any primary member to become general secretary. “MGR introduced such a provision after his expulsion from the DMK, reflecting his deep resentment against their decision,” he recalled.

“An epilogue will be written for Palaniswami’s leadership in the aftermath of the 2026 Assembly elections,” Dhinakaran asserted, adding he would support efforts to rebuild the ‘old AIADMK.’

Dhinakaran added that he was in touch with rebel AIADMK leader KA Sengottaiyan. “We speak frequently over the phone, in fact, I spoke to him this morning,” he said in response to a question about veteran AIADMK leader voicing for reunification of the party.