As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his visit to Tamil Nadu on April 6, speculation is mounting over a potential meeting between him and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). The meeting is seen as a crucial step in the evolving political landscape of the state, where the AIADMK and BJP are considering rekindling their alliance ahead of the upcoming elections.
PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu includes the inauguration of the Pamban railway bridge off the Rameswaram coast. Sources suggest that EPS is expected to meet the Prime Minister in Madurai, marking a significant development in ongoing alliance talks. A senior AIADMK leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that discussions are underway and that this meeting could further shape the party’s political strategy.
The BJP, which is currently in the process of electing state unit chiefs for 13 states, including Tamil Nadu, is also keen on finalizing its leadership for the region. BJP state vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy confirmed that district presidents have been appointed to all 67 party units in Tamil Nadu, and the election for the state president is expected to take place within a couple of weeks. A senior BJP leader emphasized that once PM Narendra Modi’s visit concludes, the party will likely announce its state leadership decision.
The AIADMK-BJP alliance talks have been ongoing since EPS’s recent visit to Delhi, where he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. While EPS has publicly denied any discussions on a renewed alliance, Shah confirmed in March that talks were progressing. This has also led to speculation over the future of BJP’s Tamil Nadu state president K. Annamalai, whose tenure remains uncertain.
One of the main hurdles in finalizing the alliance is the BJP’s push to include three expelled AIADMK leaders—O. Panneerselvam (OPS), TTV Dhinakaran (leader of AIADMK’s breakaway faction AMMK), and V. K. Sasikala—back into the fold. While Dhinakaran’s AMMK joined the NDA before last year’s elections, and OPS contested as an independent with BJP support, Sasikala has remained politically inactive. EPS, however, remains opposed to their return, despite BJP’s insistence on uniting all factions to strengthen the alliance.
Adding to the complexity, AIADMK veteran leader and former minister K. A. Sengottaiyan, known for his differences with EPS, recently met Amit Shah in Delhi. EPS claimed he was unaware of K. A. Sengottaiyan’s visit, highlighting the internal rift within AIADMK. In February, K. A. Sengottaiyan had skipped a party event, citing the absence of photos of AIADMK founders M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa, further fueling speculation about dissent within the party.
A senior BJP leader involved in the alliance discussions suggested that while talks are ongoing, a formal announcement regarding the AIADMK-BJP partnership will be made closer to the elections. With a year remaining before the state elections, both parties are weighing their options carefully, ensuring that any coalition is strategically beneficial in countering the ruling DMK.
