Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has left for Delhi to see Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a high-level meeting. Although the agenda of the meeting has not yet been made official, it will reportedly discuss top political developments and issues related to Tamil Nadu.
This encounter assumes importance since it follows two days after AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) had a meeting with Amit Shah in the national capital. The series of meetings has created speculation about political realignments in Tamil Nadu, particularly against the backdrop of the 2026 Assembly polls.
Palaniswami’s Meeting with Shah: Focus on TASMAC Scam and Tamil Nadu’s Development
On Wednesday, EPS disclosed that his talks with Amit Shah covered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the suspected scam of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the state-owned liquor outlet. Palaniswami appealed to the Union Minister to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the case.
Besides the TASMAC problem, EPS said that his meeting with Shah also addressed major issues concerning Tamil Nadu’s administration and growth. Issues like the language formula of the National Education Policy, the release of central funds to the state, and the development of railway infrastructure were discussed. These have been at the heart of political discussions in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties often accusing the central government of taking a wrong approach on regional issues.
AIADMK-BJP Alliance Rumors
In the face of increasing rumors regarding the chances of an AIADMK-BJP alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, EPS categorically ruled out any talks of an electoral alliance.
“There is nothing concerning an alliance. We have come here to talk about people’s issues. Only the media is creating news about alliances for sensationalism. There is one year left for the elections,” Palaniswami said.
He also made it clear that his party will think of alliances only after the election dates are finalized. “In 2019 and 2021, we discussed alliances just before the elections. Ideology and alliances differ from each other. We have a constant ideology, but alliances depend on situations. There is still a year remaining for the elections, and situations will determine the alliances,” he pointed out.
Tamil Nadu’s Political Scenario and AIADMK’s Stand
The AIADMK has maintained a changing political association with the BJP since many years. After J Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016, AIADMK joined hands with the BJP in big elections. But in 2023, AIADMK parted ways with the BJP over differences in political strategies and issues of regional interests.
The political scene in Tamil Nadu has been, for the most part, under the control of the DMK in recent times. The party, under Chief Minister M K Stalin, won the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the 2021 Assembly polls, and the recently held 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the AIADMK and BJP were in a coalition, with the BJP winning four seats. But the gap between the two parties grew, and the AIADMK decided to end its alliance with the BJP in 2023.
BJP’s Strategy in Tamil Nadu
The BJP has been trying to make inroads in Tamil Nadu, a state that has traditionally been dominated by Dravidian parties. With K Annamalai at its helm, the party has been adopting a belligerent strategy, with an emphasis on grassroots mobilization and targeting the DMK government on different fronts.
The meeting between Annamalai and Amit Shah is being scrutinized, which could be an indication of the BJP’s blueprint for Tamil Nadu in the lead-up to the 2026 polls. It is felt that the BJP is testing all grounds, including possibility of alliances or flying solo, to make inroads in the state.
What Lies Ahead?
With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections still a year away, political equations remain fluid. While the AIADMK has distanced itself from the BJP for now, shifting political dynamics may bring new alliances as the elections approach.
Annamalai’s visit to Delhi could be a strategic move to discuss the BJP’s next steps in Tamil Nadu, possibly addressing the party’s approach toward regional alliances and strengthening its political presence.
As the political landscape of the state continues to unfold, everyone will be watching the results of these top-level meetings and what possible fallout it may have for Tamil Nadu’s future political equation. source ANINEWS
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