In a significant political development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today confirmed that the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections together. The announcement was made at a joint press conference in Chennai, where Mr. Shah was joined by AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and newly appointed Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthiran.

Reiterating the historical strength of the alliance, Mr. Shah recalled the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP-AIADMK combine secured 30 out of 39 seats in the state under the leadership of late J Jayalalithaa. “We are confident that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will achieve a resounding victory in Tamil Nadu,” Shah stated.

He emphasized that the alliance will be based on mutual respect, adding that the BJP would not interfere in AIADMK’s internal affairs. “We may also come up with a common minimum programme, if needed,” Shah said, suggesting flexibility in agenda setting while acknowledging the alliance’s diversity.

On managing the alliance dynamics, Shah remarked humorously, “Let us also do some work. Don’t worry about everything. Leave some concerns to us too,” drawing laughter from the audience.

Shah also addressed the recent leadership change within the BJP, announcing Nainar Nagenthiran as the new state party chief, replacing K Annamalai. He thanked Annamalai for his remarkable organisational contributions and noted that the young leader would now take on responsibilities at the national level.

The alliance comes after a period of estrangement. While the AIADMK and BJP contested the 2021 elections together—where BJP won four seats—the two parties parted ways in 2023. The renewed tie-up now signals a fresh strategic push ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

In a significant political development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today confirmed that the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections together. The announcement was made at a joint press conference in Chennai, where Mr. Shah was joined by AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and newly appointed Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthiran.

Reiterating the historical strength of the alliance, Mr. Shah recalled the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP-AIADMK combine secured 30 out of 39 seats in the state under the leadership of late J Jayalalithaa. “We are confident that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will achieve a resounding victory in Tamil Nadu,” Shah stated.

He emphasized that the alliance will be based on mutual respect, adding that the BJP would not interfere in AIADMK’s internal affairs. “We may also come up with a common minimum programme, if needed,” Shah said, suggesting flexibility in agenda setting while acknowledging the alliance’s diversity.

On managing the alliance dynamics, Shah remarked humorously, “Let us also do some work. Don’t worry about everything. Leave some concerns to us too,” drawing laughter from the audience.

Shah also addressed the recent leadership change within the BJP, announcing Nainar Nagenthiran as the new state party chief, replacing K Annamalai. He thanked Annamalai for his remarkable organisational contributions and noted that the young leader would now take on responsibilities at the national level.

The alliance comes after a period of estrangement. While the AIADMK and BJP contested the 2021 elections together—where BJP won four seats—the two parties parted ways in 2023. The renewed tie-up now signals a fresh strategic push ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.