Is TTV Dhinakaran Rejoining NDA and Joining PM Modi's Poll Campaign Launch in Chennai on Jan 23?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dhinakaran's return signifies a realignment in Tamil Nadu politics.
- His attendance at the January 23 event is highly anticipated.
- PM Modi's address will mark the official campaign launch.
- Several regional leaders will share the stage, highlighting NDA's coalition strength.
- This move could impact the electoral dynamics in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai, Jan 19 (NationPress) General Secretary of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), TTV Dhinakaran, is preparing to make his way back into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and is anticipated to attend the alliance's campaign launch event featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi near Chennai on January 23, according to insiders on Monday.
Dhinakaran's rejoining the NDA signifies a major political shift ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AMMK General Secretary was affiliated with the NDA but later departed after it declared AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the Chief Ministerial candidate for Tamil Nadu.
At that time, Dhinakaran had firmly opposed any coalition under Palaniswami's leadership, publicly stating he would refrain from joining such an alliance.
After his exit, Dhinakaran sought other political affiliations and was rumored to be negotiating with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Nonetheless, those discussions did not lead to a formal partnership, leaving the AMMK without significant coalitions for some time.
Recently, Dhinakaran had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
Sources indicated that this meeting facilitated his return to the NDA, with Shah extending an invitation for Dhinakaran to rejoin the alliance.
Although Dhinakaran has yet to publicly confirm his decision, political insiders view his attendance at the January 23 event as highly probable.
Prime Minister Modi is set to speak at the NDA's first major campaign gathering in Tamil Nadu on January 23, marking the official kickoff of the alliance's election activities in the state.
Several leaders from NDA allies are expected to share the stage, including former Chief Minister Palaniswami, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) President G.K. Vasan, IJK founder TR Paarivendhar, TMMK leader John Pandian, and Puratchi Bharatham leader Poovai Jagan Moorthy, among others.
If Dhinakaran attends the meeting as anticipated, it will conclude months of speculation regarding his political trajectory and emphasize the NDA's efforts to solidify its coalition in Tamil Nadu ahead of a significant electoral challenge.