Amit Shah formally announces the partnership in Chennai, emphasizing “no interference in AIADMK affairs” and hinting at Annamalai’s potential national position as the new state chief on Saturday.
On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a formal alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Speaking alongside AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and BJP state president K. Annamalai, Shah confirmed that EPS would lead the coalition. He also revealed that the two parties would develop a common minimum programme to guide their campaign.
“The BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu will be led by EPS. We will formulate a common minimum programme ahead of the elections and work together to strengthen this partnership,” Shah stated. The announcement comes amid speculation about a strategic reshuffle within the BJP, with Annamalai’s potential exit from his post seen as a move to solidify ties with the AIADMK.
Shah rejected claims that the AIADMK had imposed conditions for the alliance. Addressing queries about expelled AIADMK leaders O. Panneerselvam and T. T. V. Dhinakaran, previously aligned with the BJP during last year’s Lok Sabha elections, Shah clarified, “The BJP will not meddle in the AIADMK’s internal affairs or push for the reinstatement of ousted leaders. There will be no interference.” This stance aims to address concerns stemming from the 2021 Assembly elections, where perceived BJP interference and internal AIADMK divisions were blamed for the party’s electoral setbacks.
Shah’s assurance of a common minimum programme signals the BJP’s willingness to accommodate the AIADMK’s priorities, particularly on issues significant to Tamil Nadu, where the two parties have occasionally diverged. Responding to concerns raised by the rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance regarding topics like the NEET medical entrance exam and upcoming delimitation, Shah dismissed them as distractions. “The DMK is trying to mislead people, but we remain focused on addressing the public’s real concerns,” he said.
When asked about the timing of the alliance’s formalization, Shah denied any delays, emphasizing that the process was deliberate to ensure a robust partnership. “There was no delay. We took the time to build a strong and comprehensive alliance,” he asserted.
