United We Stand: PM Modi Embraces AIADMK's Return to NDA
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Synopsis
PM Modi welcomed AIADMK's return to the NDA, anticipating a united Tamil Nadu. Amit Shah confirmed AIADMK's leadership in the NDA for the upcoming 2026 elections, marking a significant political shift and a revival of their partnership after a previous fallout.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi supports AIADMK's return to NDA.
- AIADMK will lead the NDA in Tamil Nadu.
- EPS is the Chief Ministerial candidate for NDA.
- The alliance aims to counter DMK's influence.
- Strategic meetings helped revive the coalition.
New Delhi/Chennai, April 11 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday embraced the rejoining of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), expressing optimism that this reunion will foster a more cohesive and progressive Tamil Nadu.
Posting on X, the Prime Minister stated: "United we stand, committed to Tamil Nadu’s advancement! Thrilled that AIADMK is back in the NDA family. Together, alongside our other NDA allies, we aim to elevate Tamil Nadu to unprecedented levels of development and serve the state with diligence. We are dedicated to realizing the vision of the legendary MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji."
Taking a pointed jab at the ruling DMK, PM Modi remarked: "To ensure Tamil Nadu’s growth and protect the essence of Tamil culture, it is essential to eliminate the corrupt and divisive DMK promptly — an objective our coalition will fulfill."
During his Chennai visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially declared that AIADMK would spearhead the NDA in Tamil Nadu, setting the groundwork for a united campaign in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
At a press briefing, HM Shah referred to the AIADMK-BJP partnership as a "natural alliance" and confirmed that AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) would be the NDA’s Chief Ministerial candidate in the state.
This announcement signifies a crucial political transformation, revitalizing a collaboration that had disintegrated in September 2023 after a contentious fallout.
The split originated from controversial statements by Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai, who had provoked the AIADMK leadership with his comments regarding esteemed Dravidian leaders like C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa.
The AIADMK and BJP had previously contested collaboratively in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections.
In the 2021 elections, AIADMK secured 66 seats, while BJP managed four.
However, relations deteriorated following Annamalai’s promotion as the state BJP chief, leading to the collapse of the alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This rift proved detrimental for both parties, resulting in setbacks during the 2024 elections.
HM Amit Shah’s visit to Chennai featured a series of significant meetings. He was greeted at the airport by senior BJP leaders, including Annamalai, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, and other prominent figures such as Tamilisai Soundararajan, Nainar Nagendran, and Pon Radhakrishnan.
During his stay, HM Shah also engaged in strategic discussions with senior BJP and RSS leaders, including a private meeting with S. Gurumurthy, editor of Thuglak magazine and an influential RSS thinker.
These discussions were crucial in reviving the alliance. Political analysts suggest that the groundwork for this reunion had been subtly established weeks prior.
EPS and senior AIADMK leaders, including former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy, had previously met HM Shah in Delhi, igniting widespread speculation regarding reconciliation.
A pivotal factor that facilitated this rapprochement was Annamalai’s announcement on April 4, indicating he would not pursue any official role in the party, opting to serve as a loyal cadre instead.
Sources indicate that the AIADMK leadership had requested the BJP high command to consider replacing Annamalai to foster smoother relations.
Senior RSS officials are believed to have played a significant role in rekindling the alliance, encouraging the BJP leadership to reconnect with a major Dravidian party in Tamil Nadu — a move viewed as essential to counter the DMK's dominance. With AIADMK emerging as the BJP’s most viable ally in the state, this announcement signifies a notable realignment in Tamil Nadu politics.
Experts predict that a unified AIADMK-BJP coalition could capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments and rally critical voter demographics across the state. The NDA is now positioning itself as a formidable alternative to the ruling DMK. As the countdown to 2026 commences, attention is focused on how this renewed partnership will translate into electoral momentum in one of India's most politically vibrant states.
