Upset BJP puts on brave face as AIADMK again says no to coalition govt

Visibly upset over the AIADMK ruling out a coalition government in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP is insisting that there is no rift in their alliance.

A day after AIADMK supremo Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) said there would be no coalition government in Tamil Nadu next year, his senior party colleague M Thambidurai rubbed it in. EPS will form a government "alone" in the state next year should the NDA win, Thambidurai, a Rajya Sabha MP, told media persons in Chennai.

He further said the state has never witnessed a coalition government, be it under Congress veterans late C Rajagopalachari or K Kamaraj, or Dravidian stalwarts like MG Ramachandran and M Karunanidhi.

Shaky alliance?

The statement, effectively squashing the BJP's hopes of forming the government in Tamil Nadu — even if only as a minority partner in the NDA bloc — sparked concerns about the alliance's stability. The AIADMK's stance has reportedly upset the BJP high command, which sees the alliance as crucial to challenge the dominant DMK in the state.

The AIADMK's current position directly contradicts Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement last week, where he confidently stated that the AIADMK and BJP would form a “coalition government” after the 2026 elections, with the NDA fighting under EPS's leadership.

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Political sources say there is much unease within the BJP, which has been banking on the AIADMK’s regional strength to counter the DMK-Congress combine in Tamil Nadu.

The BJP's state unit chief Nainar Nagendran sought to downplay the discord: “There are no cracks in the alliance.” However, BJP sources say the party is not pleased with the AIADMK stand, with some leaders suggesting that Amit Shah would ultimately decide on the coalition government issue.

Political duopoly

The AIADMK’s view on coalition aligns with its historical approach to governance. Tamil Nadu politics has long been dominated by the DMK and the AIADMK, with neither party traditionally sharing power in a coalition set-up.

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In the 2006 Assembly election, the DMK emerged as the single-largest party, securing 96 seats out of 234, but fell short of a majority. This marked the first hung Assembly in the state since 1952, with no party gaining a clear mandate to form the government independently.

The DMK, led by M Karunanidhi, formed a minority government with the support of its allies, the Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), along with other smaller parties. The Congress, a key partner in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, provided unconditional support for Karunanidhi’s claim to the CM post.

Ambition mismatch

EPS has been particular about the AIADMK’s independence, stating in February that the party does not rely on alliance partners to win elections, unlike the DMK. “The AIADMK’s strength lies with its cadre and the people,” he had said.

The BJP has been trying to cozy up to the Tamil Nadu electorate, with Shah listing measures like the installation of the Sengol in Parliament and the establishment of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai as proof of its commitment to Tamil culture.

However, the AIADMK’s insistence on going solo post-election could dampen the Tamil Nadu BJP's enthusiasm. Political analysts say the AIADMK’s position may be a strategic move to retain its core voter base, which has historically been wary of the BJP’s ideology.

With the DMK-Congress alliance presenting a formidable challenge, the AIADMK-BJP partnership will need to resolve these tensions swiftly to mount a united front.

Fresh controversy

Adding fuel to the already simmering tensions within the NDA in Tamil Nadu, posters have prominently emerged in Tirunelveli, proclaiming Nainar Nagendran as the "future Chief Minister" of the state.

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This development has created a fresh wave of controversy, as it directly challenges the AIADMK's leadership under EPS. The BJP sought to defuse tensions, urging all parties to "take it easy."

A senior BJP leader said the posters were put up by enthusiastic cadres with no malicious intent, emphasising that they did not reflect the party’s official stance.