Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: BJP-AIADMK Join Hands, Palaniswami To Lead Alliance, Says Amit Shah

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have allied to fight the Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026, together. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the alliance of both parties on April 11 in Chennai. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami will lead this alliance, said Amit Shah. Addressing the Press Conference held in Chennai, Amit Shah said, “I came here to give you good news. AIADMK and BJP have decided to fight the Tamil Nadu elections together under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). These elections will be contested under the leadership of PM Modi on a national level and under the leadership of AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the state level."

AIADMK, BJP revive ties, will contest upcoming Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu together, says Amit Shah

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ANI reported that Amit Shah said, “Seat distribution and the distribution of ministries after the government is formed, both will be decided later.”

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Amit Shah further stated that there were no pre-alliance stipulations between the two parties and that the BJP will have no role in AIADMK internal affairs. He stated that, while the parties' positions differ on matters such as NEET and the three-language policy, the partners will meet to create a shared minimum program for the state.

To create the government and reveal the "corruption" of the DMK administration, Amit Shah claimed that the coalition was advantageous for both parties. The BJP spokesman attacked the DMK government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, for using religion, NEET, and the three-language strategy to divert attention. He said, "In Tamil Nadu, the DMK is bringing up issues like Sanatan Dharma and the three-language policy to divert attention from real issues."