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Dhinakaran’s AMMK Rejoins NDA in Tamil Nadu Ahead of 2026 Elections

The reunion is designed to consolidate anti-DMK votes ahead of Modi's January 23 rally.

Overview

  • AMMK chief T.T.V. Dhinakaran met BJP election in‑charge Piyush Goyal in Chennai to formalise the party’s return and is set to participate in the January 23 Maduranthakam rally.
  • AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami publicly welcomed Dhinakaran, as NDA leaders cast the tie‑up as a unity push to unseat the DMK government.
  • Seat‑sharing remains under negotiation, with reports indicating a provisional seven‑seat offer to AMMK and a broader 56‑seat ask for the BJP’s fold in the alliance.
  • Analysts say AMMK’s return is aimed at reducing vote‑splitting among Mukkulathor/Thevar voters in southern and central districts to strengthen the opposition bloc.
  • NDA outreach to other players such as DMDK and O. Panneerselvam continues, while the DMK brought in former AIADMK minister R. Vaithilingam, reshaping pre‑rally calculations.