BJP-AIADMK alliance to fight Tamil Nadu polls as Annamalai makes way for Nainar Nagendran as state chief

It’s official! The BJP and AIADMK on Friday joined hands ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that both parties will fight under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami for the upcoming election. 

 

While announcing the poll alliance, Shah said that it would be Narendra Modi's leadership at the Centre and Palaniswami at the state level. 

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"We will form a government together led by Edappadi Palaniswami," he said. 

 

The seats and the distribution of ministries after the government is formed would be decided later, said Shah. 

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BJP has elected Nainar Nagendran as the president of the Tamil Nadu unit. Nagendran will take over as the 13th president of the Tamil Nadu BJP succeeding K. Annamalai. Notably, Nagendran was the only contender in the race. 

 

With Nagendran's caste, region and background with the AIADMK, he is likely to act as a catalyst for the BJP-AIADMK alliance. 

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Meanwhile, Annamalai, who is all set for a national role, was praised by Shah for his "commendable accomplishments" for the party. 

 

"The BJP will leverage Annamalai Ji's organisational skills in the party's national framework," Shah said in a social media post. 

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Nagendran's name was proposed by Annamalai, Union Minister L. Murugan, former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, and BJP legislator and Mahila Morcha President Vanathi Srinivasan. He is currently the state vice president. 

 

Shah at the press conference on Friday said that AIADMK had no conditions and demands and will not interfere in the internal matters of the AIADMK.

 

AIADMK walked out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2023. The AIADMK had accused then Annamalai of deliberately defaming its present and past leaders including former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. 

India