The AIADMK has revived its alliance with the BJP, following failed negotiations with actor Vijay’s newly formed political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The discussions, which began early last year, fell apart due to TVK’s steep demands, including a substantial share of the assembly seats and the promise to lead the government for the first 2.5 years if the alliance won.
TVK, led by the popular actor who transitioned into politics, has quickly become a significant player in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Vijay’s party, which aims to make a mark in the 2026 elections, is seen as a threat to the traditional political strongholds of the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK. With a massive fan following among youth, women, and anti-DMK voters, TVK’s influence is growing rapidly, and its internal surveys suggest a vote share of 18%, positioning Vijay as the second most preferred candidate for chief minister.
However, AIADMK leaders were not willing to meet the terms set by TVK, which included controlling half of the 234 assembly seats and leading the government for the first two and a half years if the alliance emerged victorious. The AIADMK’s refusal to accept such demands led to the breakdown of talks, with the party instead choosing to re-align with the BJP, with whom it had parted ways in 2023.
A Four-Way Battle for Tamil Nadu Votes
As the 2026 elections approach, the political field is expected to be a four-cornered contest between the DMK-led INDIA bloc, AIADMK-BJP alliance, Vijay’s TVK, and the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) led by S Seeman. While the DMK remains the dominant force in Tamil Nadu, with a strong vote base, the emergence of TVK poses a new challenge, especially for AIADMK, which has seen its support base erode after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
Prashant Kishor, Vijay’s political advisor, has suggested that TVK would have better chances in 2026 without aligning with the AIADMK. Kishor believes that an alliance with AIADMK, which continues to be in a partnership with the BJP, could hurt TVK’s appeal among anti-BJP voters. Vijay’s decision to distance himself from the AIADMK alliance has led to sharp criticisms from both the DMK and AIADMK camps, marking the actor’s first significant political clash.
Vijay’s entry into politics mirrors the career trajectory of many Tamil cinema legends who transitioned into the political arena, most notably M.G. Ramachandran, the founder of AIADMK. While his political career is still in its infancy, Vijay’s growing political influence is undeniable and will likely play a crucial role in the shaping of Tamil Nadu’s political future.
