NDA ups game to acquire anti-DMK votes; Three-way battle or Vijay-DMK fight in 2026?

CHENNAI: TVK president Vijay is touring the state carrying the aura of a superstar, challenging the DMK. On the other hand, the DMK is doing everything possible to stay in power by highlighting development projects. As per a few surveys, the main contest in the 2026 assembly elections will be between TVK and DMK. If so, PM Modi-led NDA needs to worry about their prospects. The years of effort dedicated by BJP cadres to wrest control over the Dravidian heartland of Tamil Nadu will thus end up futile.

Foreseeing this, the BJP national leadership has already started their efforts to acquire anti-DMK votes in the upcoming elections.

BJP started talks between the main alliance parties. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami held talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Palaniswami said that they would strengthen their joint work, but made it clear that those expelled from AIADMK should not be taken into BJP.

Edappadi put this demand after rumours surfaced of former AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam joining BJP. T.T.V. Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Katchi is currently in the NDA. BJP leaders believe that Dhinakaran, who belongs to the Thevar community, can strengthen NDA. There are also reports that his aunt and friend of the late former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, V.K. Sasikala, campaigning in favour of the NDA will be beneficial. However, Edappadi Palaniswami is against the plan. At the same time, there are indications that Dhinakaran is open to joining hands with TVK if Vijay agrees to an alliance. At the same time, the DMDK formed by Vijayakanth will be brought back into the NDA. BJP leaders will hold discussions with party chairperson Premalatha regarding this.

The problems that arose after the expulsion of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss from the party by party's founder and Anbumani's father S. Ramadoss are a headache for the NDA leadership. After AIADMK, PMK is the strongest party in the front. The rift between Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss over the electoral alliance resulted in the expulsion. While Ramadoss expressed interest in joining the DMK, Anbumani prefers to continue with NDA.

In the 2021 assembly elections, the DMK-led alliance won 159 of the 234 seats, while the DMK alone won 133 seats. The NDA alliance won a total of 75 seats, of which the AIADMK won 66 seats. The total vote difference between the alliances was about 6 per cent.