Did EPS Meet PM Modi in Tiruchi Amid Coalition Tensions?

Chennai, July 26 (NationPress) AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Tiruchi Airport late Saturday night, marking their first formal engagement since the AIADMK and BJP reestablished their alliance ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

This meeting occurred amidst visible strains between the allies concerning post-election power-sharing arrangements. Prime Minister Modi, who was returning from an official Maldives visit, arrived in Tuticorin earlier that evening. There, he inaugurated a newly developed terminal at Tuticorin Airport, which cost Rs 350 crore and aims to enhance air connectivity in southern Tamil Nadu.

Additionally, the PM dedicated and laid the groundwork for several infrastructure projects in the region, valued collectively at more than Rs 4,800 crore. Following his engagements in Tuticorin, the Prime Minister proceeded to Trichy, where EPS welcomed him at the airport and engaged in brief discussions. Although the visual presentation suggested a united alliance, the underlying reality tells a more intricate story.

Recently, the AIADMK and BJP have faced off over statements made by former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai. He publicly declared that the NDA would form a coalition government in Tamil Nadu post-2026 elections, claiming Union Home Minister Amit Shah had confirmed this.

Annamalai even encouraged the AIADMK to consult Amit Shah directly if there were doubts. EPS has strongly opposed this narrative, asserting that the AIADMK aims for a clear majority independently and has no desire to share power. In various public meetings and media interactions, including in Tiruthuraipoondi, EPS made it clear that the party would not consider a coalition government, stressing, “We are not fools to share power.”

He insisted that if the BJP intends to support the AIADMK, it must do so from outside the government, without seeking cabinet positions. In an effort to address the growing rift, state BJP president Nainar Nagendran mentioned he had discussed this with EPS and emphasized that unity within the NDA would prevail.

He stated that both parties remain committed to winning the elections together. Nevertheless, the differences in public statements have not gone unnoticed, raising concerns regarding the long-term stability of the alliance.

Saturday’s meeting between EPS and PM Modi, while aiming to strengthen political ties, unfolded amid these underlying tensions. Although the alliance remains intact on paper, it faces challenges related to leadership and control in a prospective government. Whether the two parties will resolve their discrepancies or continue to manage them under increasing public scrutiny will likely influence the trajectory of their campaign in the upcoming months.