BJP Launches Aggressive Campaign to Expand NDA in Tamil Nadu, Targets Anti-DMK Voters

Chennai, January 9, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ramping up its efforts to expand the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu ahead of this year’s Assembly elections. The party aims to position the NDA as the natural choice for voters opposed to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

The campaign comes at a time when Tamil Nadu’s traditional bipolar political landscape is witnessing a new entrant—actor Vijay’s political outfit, TVK. BJP’s strategy is to consolidate all anti-DMK forces under the NDA banner and present a united front to the electorate.

Palaniappan Meets Amit Shah
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniappan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday to discuss expanding the NDA’s footprint in the state. The discussions reportedly covered coalition growth and election-related agendas. Ahead of the meeting, Palaniappan welcomed the PMK faction led by Ambumani Ramdass into the NDA, a move seen as significant for the alliance’s electoral prospects.

Palaniappan Draws the Line on O. Panneerselvam and Shashikala
Palaniappan, who has been declared the NDA’s leading candidate, reiterated his firm stance against the return of former AIADMK leaders O. Panneerselvam and Shashikala to the alliance. However, he refrained from commenting directly on TTV Dhinakaran, a former AIADMK official who has now emerged as a political contender with his own support base.

AIADMK’s Return Seen as a Symbol of Unity
BJP has long maintained that the return of AIADMK members associated with the late J. Jayalalithaa could send a strong message of unity and help counter DMK-led alliances. Political analysts note that BJP is likely to align closely with Palaniappan, given that he has already been declared the alliance leader. An AIADMK-led front is seen as the most viable option to challenge the DMK-Congress-Left coalition.

TVK’s Emergence Adds Uncertainty
The rise of TVK has added a new layer of unpredictability to Tamil Nadu politics. Several local leaders dissatisfied with their original parties or lured by promises of better positions have joined TVK. Some speculate that O. Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran could also be drawn into TVK, further complicating the political equation.

TVK Considers Congress Its Natural Ally
A BJP source compared actor Vijay to political strategist Prashant Kishor, highlighting his influence in shaping alliances. While BJP seeks to unite all forces against the DMK-led coalition, TVK has positioned Congress as its natural ally. Meanwhile, a faction within Congress has expressed frustration over the DMK’s reluctance to share power and its tepid response to TVK.

With key issues still unresolved within the DMK alliance, the NDA plans to highlight alleged corruption and misgovernance as central themes in its campaign.