Chennai: In a bid to forge a formidable anti-DMK alliance for the 2026 assembly elections, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami extended a public invitation to parties including the ruling DMK allies Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI and CPM, apart from Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK)—only to face rejection or silence.
Political analysts in Tamil Nadu say the shadow of AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP is complicating a potential partnership with the Opposition AIADMK in the state.
On 7 July 2025, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) launched a statewide campaign, ‘Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom’ (Let us protect the people, let us reclaim Tamil Nadu), in Coimbatore.
But with AIADMK firmly aligned with the BJP in the NDA Alliance, his overtures were met with sharp rejections.
Political analyst N. Sathiya Moorthy said that the rejections and the cautious silence were largely due to the AIADMK’s association with the BJP, which remains a polarising force in Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian-dominated political landscape.
“Although EPS’s invitations were strategic, aimed at consolidating anti-DMK forces under AIADMK’s leadership, being in alliance with BJP is a barrier for other parties. Although rejections of VCK, CPI and CPI(M) may be because of their long standing understanding with the DMK, the rejections from Seeman’s NTK and Vijay’s TVK are largely because of the BJP, which they consider as an opponent in the state’s political landscape,” N Sathiya Moorthy said.
It was on 16 July, during his campaign in Chidambaram, that EPS openly courted the VCK and left parties, pointing to their treatment in the ruling coalition.
“Despite being allies of the ruling party, DMK is not even allowing them to hoist their party flags nor hold their party meetings or conferences,” EPS said referring to VCK, CPI and CPI(M).
He also wondered why they were still in the DMK alliance, enduring humiliation. “We will lay a red carpet to the alliance parties,” EPS said.
However, on 17 July, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan rejected the call stating that they are committed to the secular alliance formed under the leadership of DMK.
“We have made it very clear that VCK won’t be part of any alliance which has BJP and PMK. EPS’s attempt to destabilise us won’t work,” Thirumavalavan told the reporters in Chennai.
CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan criticised EPS’ campaign and said, “This is nothing but a desperate bid to protect himself and his ally BJP.”
Political analysts like Priyan Srinivasan said that the AIADMK leader is losing political dignity by inviting anti-BJP parties. “As a former Chief Minister and the opposition leader of the state, he should maintain a level of political decorum. Having BJP by his side and inviting all anti-BJP parties does not look good for him politically. It will not only make him uneasy, but also the BJP, which has joined the AIADMK alliance one year before the assembly elections,” Priyan Srinivasan said.
However, when asked about the rejection of the DMK allies, EPS said in Cuddalore on 16 July that he was only referring to how they are being treated in the DMK alliance and did not invite them for an alliance.
Subsequently, on 22 July, during his campaign in the Delta districts, EPS invited NTK and TVK to join his alliance against the ruling DMK. “Only a united opposition can topple the Stalin government,” EPS said, while addressing the gathering in Delta districts.
However, on 23 July, speaking to the reporters in Villupuram, NTK leader Seeman rejected the call stating that one corrupt party cannot be used to uproot another corrupt party.
“Fire cannot be doused with another fire. Water is needed to put out the fire and we are the water that will douse corruption,” Seeman told the reporters.
Vijay’s TVK, although not responding directly to EPS’ call, posted on its official X handle that their leader would be the people’s favourite chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 assembly elections. “We will create history by delivering a massive victory in 2026 and make Thalapathy Vijay our CM candidate,” the post read.
Also read: No coalition govt, alliance only for 2026 polls—EPS contradicts Amit Shah on AIADMK-BJP tie-up
PMK, DMDK keep cards close to chest
While DMK allies have clearly rejected EPS’ call, former AIADMK allies, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) are yet to reveal their stand.
On 15 July, while addressing the gathering in Neyveli, EPS said PMK was already in an alliance with the AIADMK. However, on 16 July, in their foundation day message, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said that the party will be part of the coalition government formed after the 2026 assembly elections.
“PMK is not here to make any party to win the election and rule Tamil Nadu. We should also rule. Only when we are part of the government, will we be able to establish social justice,” he said in his foundation day message to party workers.
Since Anbumani Ramadoss’s statement came a day after EPS’ call, it was assumed to be a demand from the PMK for a coalition government.
When asked about it, EPS backtracked and clarified that it was his suggestion that PMK join the alliance. “I made a statement that PMK might join the alliance. For now, PMK is not in the AIADMK alliance,” he said. When asked about the demand of the PMK, he said that they will think about it after the PMK joins the alliance.
In 2021, PMK contested in as many as 23 seats as part of the AIADMK alliance and won in five seats. The DMDK, founded by actor turned politician Vijayakanth, a former ally of AIADMK in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, also kept EPS at arm’s length. DMDK has said that the party will announce their stand on an alliance at their public meeting in Cuddalore in January 2026.
Political analyst Priya Srinivasan noted that EPS’ early push to unite the Opposition makes him appear desperate and weakens his position. “Alliance is something that is meant to be formed just 50 to 60 days before the election. But, he forged an alliance with BJP a year before the election and called all the parties to join the election. Political parties still have time to weigh their options before joining an alliance. EPS’ call for an alliance shows he is not confident of the existing alliance,” he said.
Nevertheless, a former AIADMK minister told ThePrint that they forged an alliance with the BJP much earlier to blur the lines between the workers of both the parties.
“The intention was to overcome the differences between workers of both parties on the ground and to work together for the 2026 assembly election,” the former AIADMK minister said.
However, political analyst P. Sigamani reiterated what other experts have said—the AIADMK is not getting the desired response because of their early alliance with the BJP. “They wanted their cadre to work together. But, instead, it is creating more divisions among the workers because of EPS’ call for alliance with multiple partners, including those who are traditionally against the national parties, especially BJP,” Sigamani said.
On 22 July, EPS reiterated that the AIADMK-BJP alliance will continue intact and will win the election. “I invite all the like minded parties to join the anti-DMK coalition,” he told the gathering in Thanjavur.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Why EPS had a change of heart & greenlit AIADMK-BJP alliance talks ahead of Tamil Nadu polls