EPS Draws Line: AIADMK Won’t Join NDA, Will Partner BJP Only For Tamil Nadu 2026

A political reunion — with clear boundaries! The AIADMK and BJP are back together, but only for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. After the complete 2024 Lok Sabha sweep by the DMK-led alliance, the two parties are reuniting to consolidate the anti-DMK vote. But AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has drawn a clear line: this is not a return to the national NDA. The AIADMK has officially stated that while it will coordinate with the BJP in Tamil Nadu, it will not be part of the broader BJP-led NDA at the national level. This conditional partnership underscores the party's discomfort with BJP's growing influence in the state. Amit Shah, at a recent rally, hinted at forming the government with AIADMK post-2026, but internal tensions are already surfacing. No talks on cabinet sharing have been initiated — signalling a deal of necessity, not trust. Had they allied in 2024, NDA could’ve grabbed up to 13 seats. Now, with AIADMK’s rural grip and BJP’s urban base, they’re trying again — with caution. Meanwhile, Stalin’s alliance is holding strong, and actor Vijay’s political debut is reshaping the chessboard.