R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 21
With just days left for nomination filing, the AIADMK–BJP combine has entered the decisive phase of seat-sharing, with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led NDA firming up a strategy that aims to return to power on its own strength—while a parallel Sasikala-led front threatens to upset the arithmetic.
- EPS eyes solo majority with 160–170 seats; BJP tally set to rise sharply
- Amit Shah steers talks; Piyush Goyal to seal pact amid final-round parleys
- Dhinakaran rules out Sasikala in NDA; stresses “unity over numbers”
- PMK (Anbumani) on board, Ramadoss faction rebels with Sasikala front
- New AIPTMMK–PMK combine targets 100 seats to dent NDA vote base
AIADMK calls the shots, targets solo majority
Sources indicate that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is set to retain 160–170 of the 234 seats, a calibrated move to cross the majority mark of 118 independently.
“This is to ensure that the AIADMK forms the government on its own,” a senior leader said, underlining the party’s ambition.
Palaniswami, projected as the NDA’s chief ministerial face, has set an aggressive target of 210 seats for the alliance.
BJP’s expanded role; Shah leads negotiations
The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to contest around 30 seats, marking a significant jump from 20 in 2021.
A senior BJP leader confirmed: “Our senior leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is directly involved in the seat-sharing talks. The initial round with Palaniswami has been completed.”
Union Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to arrive in Chennai shortly to formalise the agreement after consultations in Delhi.
Allies in the mix: PMK, AMMK, TMC
- Pattali Makkal Katchi (led by Anbumani Ramadoss): ~17 seats
- Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (led by T. T. V. Dhinakaran): ~9 seats
- Tamil Maanila Congress (led by G. K. Vasan): ~3 seats
Smaller allies are likely to contest on the AIADMK’s “Two Leaves” or BJP’s “Lotus” symbols.
Dhinakaran draws red line on Sasikala
Amid speculation, Dhinakaran categorically ruled out the return of V. K. Sasikala to the NDA fold.
“I did not discuss seat-sharing with Amit Shah. We only spoke about facing the elections in a united manner,” he said.
He emphasised alliance cohesion over seat arithmetic and took a swipe at the ruling DMK, adding:
“The State leadership becomes apprehensive whenever Opposition leaders visit Delhi.”
Highlighting Centre–State ties, he noted: “Nearly ₹12 lakh crore has been allocated to Tamil Nadu over the past 12 years. We can ensure the State gets funds without difficulty.”
Sasikala–Ramadoss Front: The silent disruptor
Even as NDA consolidates, a new front led by Sasikala and PMK founder S. Ramadoss has taken shape under the banner of AIPTMMK.
Announcing the alliance, Sasikala asserted: “This is a new alliance. Our alliance will see a massive victory in the upcoming election.”
The combine plans to contest in 100 constituencies across northern and southern Tamil Nadu—not necessarily to win, but to split votes and weaken the AIADMK–BJP bloc.
High-stakes battle lines drawn
The emerging scenario points to a triangular contest:
- AIADMK–BJP-led NDA aiming for a decisive mandate
- DMK-led front holding its ground
- Sasikala–Ramadoss alliance playing spoiler
With community equations, micro-level vote splits, and shifting loyalties in play, even a few hundred votes per constituency could tilt results, making Tamil Nadu 2026 one of the most tightly contested elections in recent memory.
