Edappadi Palaniswami meets Amit Shah amid AIADMK-BJP tie-up talks
What's the story
AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday.
The meeting is a major advancement in the ongoing talks between AIADMK and BJP over a probable alliance for Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly polls.
The two parties have been engaged in discussions for several weeks as they weigh the prospects of reuniting after their split last year.
Concerns
AIADMK's cautious approach to rejoining NDA
The AIADMK was reluctant to re-join the NDA, mainly seeing it as a North-centric party. This was the sentiment expressed by AIADMK's arch-rival DMK too.
However, political survival and Delhi's relentless pressure have made Palaniswami rethink his position on the alliance.
An AIADMK leader from southern Tamil Nadu said their party is "ready to play second fiddle" if the BJP addresses their concerns.
Background
AIADMK's history with BJP and recent electoral performance
AIADMK first tied up with the BJP during the instability after party leader J Jayalalithaa's death in 2016.
It broke the alliance in September 2023 following a series of electoral defeats and political developments after the DMK swept the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
But after DMK's strong performance in the 2024 elections and its growing clout as an anti-BJP force under M K Stalin, Palaniswami is now considering reuniting with the BJP.
Collaboration
AIADMK and BJP's strategy against DMK government
At their recent meeting, AIADMK and BJP resolved to intensify their campaigns against the DMK government and Stalin, especially over corruption.
BJP feels that Stalin is trying to divert attention from such issues by raking up emotional topics like delimitation and language policy.
To facilitate the alliance, AIADMK has proposed a high-powered steering committee to oversee interactions with BJP, above TN BJP president K Annamalai's.
Terms
AIADMK's conditions for alliance with BJP
AIADMK has also asked BJP to give up its efforts to patch up with party rebels T T V Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam.
Palaniswami's confidant said the BJP is looking for control and won't think twice to split their party if they oppose.
Another senior BJP leader confirmed these conditions, but said it was encouraging that Annamalai's removal hadn't been demanded by AIADMK.