The formalisation of alliance between the BJP and the AIADMK, as expected, drew strong criticism from DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He accused the AIADMK of seeking to “mortgage” the interests of Tamil Nadu.
However, it is not as if the DMK had not expected the two parties to come together, as part of the NDA. Yet, it has made the DMK’s task tougher since it can no longer rest on its laurels as narrow margins could tilt the scales in the 2026 Assembly election.
The NDA may likely get the PMK and the DMDK onboard even as the latter’s leader, Premallatha Vijayakant, has decided to play a waiting game.
DMK leader and Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu rejects the notion that the AIADMK-BJP alliance would pose a challenge to the DMK front. “They [the AIADMK and the BJP] seek to create an impression that it is a grand alliance. On the contrary, it is riddled with differences. Cracks will appear soon. This has also exposed the double-game played by the AIADMK all these days,” he says.
He further said that actor-politician Vijay had not clearly indicated his stand, and there would at least be a three-cornered contest in 2026. “Such a possibility will invariably benefit the DMK. Our alliance is consistent, and the government’s welfare schemes will boost our prospects further,” he adds.
CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam feels that new developments were unlikely to pose a challenge to the DMK front, of which his party is a constituent. “The alliance may not get more friends, except for the PMK and the DMDK, which had previously been part of the NDA. But it will lose the votes of minorities, and this will prove disadvantageous for the alliance,” he argues.
He feels that the AIADMK-BJP combine will resort to mobilisation on caste lines as indicated by the election of BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran as the new president of the party’s State unit, replacing K. Annamalai. “His election is aimed at consolidating the Mukkulathor votes, while Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his support base in the Kongu region is expected to work in favour of the alliance,” Mr. Shanmugam says.
The CPM(M) leader, however, acknowledges the anti-incumbency factor, and says that the DMK has to offset it by fulfilling all its promises. “There is adequate time. The DMK should make use of it, and address the issues that may work against it in the election,” he adds.
TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai is of the opinion that instead of strengthening its position, the AIADMK’s decision to ally with the BJP, will work against it. “The people of Tamil Nadu are fully aware of the anti-Tamil Nadu policies of the BJP government at the Centre. The Supreme Court ruling against Governor R.N. Ravi is another blow to the BJP. There is hardly any factor that will work for the AIADMK-BJP alliance,” he contends.
On the anti-incumbency factor against the DMK government, he says that even if one were to assume that it exists, it will be neutralised by the presence of Mr. Vijay’s TVK. “It is akin to actor Chiranjeevi’s party [Praja Rajyam, since disbanded] in Andhra Pradesh, which polled the anti-incumbency votes [in 2009],” he adds.
Published – April 13, 2025 11:58 pm IST
