Amit Shah Directs BJP to Strengthen Ties with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu

Union Minister Amit Shah has instructed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu to forge stronger ties with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) as part of a coalition strategy ahead of the upcoming elections. This directive comes as a response to ongoing tensions within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, where differing opinions have surfaced regarding the coalition government’s approach.

During his recent visit to Madurai, Shah emphasized the importance of collaboration between BJP and AIADMK, urging party functionaries to participate in rallies and demonstrations to demonstrate unity. This message has been disseminated across various district units of the BJP, aiming to bolster the NDA’s presence in Tamil Nadu with AIADMK leading the charge. A senior BJP leader noted, “Shah told senior leaders that AIADMK will lead NDA in the state, and the BJP should gel with it.”

A visible change in strategy is evident, with BJP members actively attending AIADMK rallies, particularly those led by Edappadi Palaniswami. This marks a departure from the 2021 election cycle, where AIADMK officials discouraged BJP involvement in public outreach events, especially in areas with significant minority populations.

The BJP’s commitment to AIADMK is further illustrated by the presence of key party figures, including L Murugan, Nainar Nagenthran, and Vanathi Srinivasan, at Palaniswami’s rally in Mettupalayam. Their participation signals a clear endorsement of Palaniswami’s leadership within the alliance.

While Palaniswami has expressed confidence that AIADMK will secure enough seats to form a government independently, this stance contrasts with Shah’s vision of a shared power arrangement. BJP leaders suggest that Palaniswami’s statements are intended to inspire confidence among party cadres. A senior BJP functionary remarked, “If AIADMK falls short of a majority, it will be a 100% coalition government. AIADMK Rajya Sabha members may also get a berth in the Union cabinet.”

The dynamics within the BJP have raised questions about the involvement of former state president K Annamalai, especially following his absence from a recent meeting organized for booth-level workers by Nagenthran. Annamalai was initially scheduled to address the gathering, which featured prominent party voices, including Tamilisai Soundararajan, H Raja, and P Sudhakar Reddy.

As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Annamalai will engage more actively in AIADMK events, considering the importance of unity within the alliance. The BJP’s strategy of aligning closely with AIADMK reflects a calculated effort to strengthen their position in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, paving the way for a potentially impactful coalition in the upcoming elections.