Tamil Nadu Elections: Palaniswami Holds Ground under Factional and BJP Pressure over Rebels; What's the Next Move?
AIADMK and BJP Plan Election Strategy for 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls
In a crucial development, a meeting was held in Chennai to strategize for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The meeting, chaired by B.L. Santhosh and Arvind Menon, saw key BJP officials in attendance. Edappadi K Palaniswami, AIADMK general secretary, was notably absent.
The meeting, held on an unspecified date, saw the BJP emphasizing unity and the impact of the AIADMK-BJP alliance losing seats in 2021 due to independent contests. The AIADMK proposed Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the candidate for the leadership position in the 2026 polls.
Edappadi K Palaniswami stood firm against pressure to readmit rebel leaders O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran into the AIADMK ahead of the elections, stating it would destabilize the party's structure. EPS clarified that while the party wouldn't accept them back, it had no objection if the NDA accommodated them independently.
TTV Dhinakaran reacted to the alliance, stating that after the 2026 elections, Edappadi K Palaniswami would be left standing alone. However, Dhinakaran was not present at the BJP meeting.
The discussions focused on election strategies, strengthening the party's grassroots presence, and organizational matters in the state. The BJP aims to secure victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, and the AIADMK's alliance is a significant step towards this goal.
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, had previously met Edappadi K Palaniswami in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. EPS arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to continue his engagements, including a meeting with newly elected Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.
The discussions between AIADMK and BJP will continue after Diwali in mid-October, marking a promising start for the alliance ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
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