Efforts to further strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have intensified before the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. In this context, a long meeting took place between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Palaniswami late on Wednesday night. In the meeting that lasted for about three hours, an important discussion took place regarding the expansion of the alliance.
According to sources, BJP national leadership expelled AIADMK leaders O. Panneerselvam (OPS), T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Premalatha are in favor of bringing DMDK led by Vijayakanth back into NDA. According to sources, the meeting focused on the political situation in Tamil Nadu, consolidation of anti-DMK votes and presenting the NDA in a united form before the elections.
However, AIADMK General Secretary E. Palaniswami is still uneasy about the return of OPS and Dhinakaran. Sources say that Palaniswami is not in favor of taking back any leader who could challenge his leadership ability within the party in future or weaken his hold on the organization.
Despite this, the national leadership of BJP is insisting on a comprehensive barricade against DMK. The party assesses that both OPS and Dhinakaran have significant influence on the influential Thevar community, an important OBC section. This is the reason why BJP is pressurizing AIADMK for re-alliance with both the leaders. This effort has gained momentum because OPS and Dhinakaran are said to be in touch with actor-politician Vijay's party TVK.
According to sources, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Tamil Nadu at the end of this month, BJP wants to prepare the blueprint of a very strong and powerful NDA. PM Modi will start the election campaign by addressing several rallies in the state. BJP has been trying to strengthen its political base in Tamil Nadu for a long time.
Sources say that if needed, BJP can also consider giving some seats of its quota to smaller parties, so that they can be accommodated in NDA. BJP seems to be moving forward on the strategy of presenting NDA as a stable and strong alternative.
