Chennai, Dec 23 (NationPress) Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who has recently taken on the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, is poised to officially commence discussions regarding alliances with the AIADMK and other partners of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during a day-long visit to Chennai on Tuesday.

This visit signifies the launch of the BJP’s efforts in seat-sharing and coalition formation in preparation for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

BJP insiders have disclosed that Goyal will kick off his engagements with a series of internal discussions at Kamalalayam, the party’s state headquarters. He is expected to meet with senior leaders and members of the BJP’s core committee to evaluate organizational readiness and map out the party’s overarching electoral strategy.

Topics of conversation are anticipated to revolve around booth-level strengthening, campaign strategizing, and enhancing coordination among alliance members.

After the internal review, Goyal will move on to a private meeting with NDA members at a hotel in MRC Nagar.

It is reported that this meeting is intended to start formal discussions on alliance frameworks, with seat-sharing and coalition dynamics being crucial agenda points. Notably, Goyal is also expected to meet AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the same venue.

This will mark the first formal high-level interaction between the two since Goyal took charge of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu campaign. This meeting is poised to establish the groundwork for future negotiations between the BJP and the AIADMK, which are viewed as vital to the NDA’s prospects in the region.

Palaniswami's journey to Chennai from Salem on Monday has fueled speculation regarding the alliance discussions.

While neither party has made an official announcement regarding the meeting, BJP sources have indicated that informal and backchannel talks have been underway for several weeks, suggesting a gradual thawing of relations.

Later in the day, Goyal plans to meet with Governor R.N. Ravi at Raj Bhavan. This meeting is expected to cover essential administrative and political developments occurring in Tamil Nadu.

Senior BJP officials have mentioned that the decision by the party’s high command to assign Goyal the Tamil Nadu mandate highlights its goal to assemble a united and extensive NDA well ahead of the election cycle. Goyal is scheduled to return to New Delhi in the evening after concluding his engagements in Chennai.