AIADMK-BJP Alliance 2.0? Palaniswami's Meeting With Amit Shah In Delhi Fuels Reunion Rumours

New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu political climate has started feeling the heat months ahead of the state assembly elections next year, and the latest is the speculation of the reunion of the BJP and the AIADMK. The speculation was triggered after the AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting has sparked intense speculation that the AIADMK may revive its alliance with the BJP ahead of the state's assembly elections next year.

Notably, the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu's main opposition party, severed its ties with the BJP in September 2023, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, following disagreements with the BJP's state leadership. However, it appears that the party may be rethinking its stance, and a potential alliance with the BJP could be on the cards.

Sources indicated that during the meeting, Palaniswami discussed various issues, including the alleged imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu, and shared his party's views with Shah. The meeting between the two leaders comes after senior AIADMK leaders had recently met BJP national president JP Nadda, where they raised concerns about Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai's aggressive political style.

Pertinently, Annamalai has toned down his criticism of the AIADMK for some time now, and it seems that the party may be willing to put aside its differences with the BJP in order to challenge the ruling DMK-led INDIA alliance in the state. As Annamalai himself stated, “Our doors and windows are open for any party to join the NDA. Anybody joining us with the only aim of dethroning the DMK is welcome.”

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Road To Revival

The AIADMK has seen a decline in its vote share in recent years, and a potential alliance with the BJP could be just the boost the party needs to revive its fortunes. However, it remains to be seen whether the party will be able to put aside its differences with the BJP and work towards a common goal.

As one AIADMK leader stated, the party is "ready to play second fiddle" to the BJP if the saffron party addresses its concerns. The demands include the establishment of a high-ranking steering committee responsible for managing interactions with the BJP.

Challenge To The DMK-Led Alliance

The political experts stated that if the AIADMK and BJP do revive their alliance, they could pose a strong challenge to the ruling DMK-led INDIA alliance in the state. The DMK has been in power since 2021, and a united opposition could possibly threaten its dominance.

As Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin stated, "Except for the BJP, all parties have supported it (the resolution against triple language). We are firm that we will never accept it (the triple language policy)". It remains to be seen how the DMK will respond to a potential AIADMK-BJP alliance.