AIADMK Rules Out Coalition Government With BJP in Tamil Nadu, Alliance Only for 2026 Polls

The AIADMK and BJP have revived their alliance in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, confirming an electoral understanding for the upcoming polls. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has clarified that there will be no coalition government if the alliance wins, and that the alliance is only for the 2026 elections. EPS stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not say there would be a coalition government, referencing Shah's April 11 announcement of the alliance. EPS emphasized that the AIADMK would lead the government in the state, in line with the tradition that both DMK and AIADMK have formed alliances but never shared power with their partners in Tamil Nadu. Amit Shah previously said the alliance would fight the 2026 polls under EPS's leadership and that the government would be formed together, but left power sharing details to be decided after the elections. The BJP has stated that such matters would be jointly decided by the national leadership of both parties. Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran has indicated that seat allocation for expelled AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran, both part of the NDA, will be addressed together by the AIADMK and BJP leadership for the 2026 Assembly polls.