Exclusive EPS visits Delhi, AIADMK may be poised to rejoin BJP

AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami is currently in Delhi and is set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with the potential for a significant shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Sources have suggested that this meeting could lead to Palaniswami’s return to the NDA, an alliance he had previously resisted. Palaniswami’s visit follows weeks of discussions between AIADMK and BJP leaders. While the AIADMK has been cautious about re-aligning with the BJP, a North-centric party that is often projected as the dominant force by their main rival, the DMK, the pressure from political survival and Delhi’s influence seem to have changed Palaniswami’s stance.

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AIADMK Leader Willing to Play Second Fiddle in Potential Alliance with BJP

An AIADMK leader from southern Tamil Nadu, close to Palaniswami, mentioned that they were even ready to play second fiddle. If the BJP listens to our concerns and agrees, an AIADMK-BJP alliance is possible. The AIADMK had initially aligned with the BJP after the death of its leader J. Jayalalithaa in 2016 and the subsequent split within the party. Many decisions by the AIADMK government at that time were seen to be influenced by the BJP.

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AIADMK’s Conditions Formation of Steering Committee to Oversee BJP Relations

Among the conditions set by AIADMK, sources indicated, is the formation of a high-powered steering committee to manage the relationship with the BJP, with the committee’s authority surpassing that of Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai. This would ensure that AIADMK’s leadership communicates directly with the BJP high command, as Annamalai’s repeated criticism of AIADMK leaders is believed to have contributed to the break-up of their alliance in 2023.

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Palaniswami’s Confidant: BJP Seeks Control, No Choice but Damage Control

A confidant of Palaniswami stated that he understands the BJP’s intentions, saying, They want control. If we resist, they won’t hesitate to split our party. This isn’t a choice; it’s damage control. A senior BJP leader confirmed the conditions laid out by AIADMK but noted that a positive sign was that the party had not called for Annamalai’s removal, which had been a concern. To address the leadership issues, the BJP might appoint senior figures like H. Raja and Nainar Nagendra to the steering committee.

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