Ambiguity In AIADMK-BJP Ties? EPS Says Coalition Only For Elections, Contradicts Alliance Partner
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) firmly asserted on Wednesday that there will be no coalition government in Tamil Nadu, even if the AIADMK-BJP alliance wins the 2026 Assembly elections.
No Coalition Govt: EPS
Speaking to the media at Fort St George after attending the Assembly session, EPS clarified that while the AIADMK has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the partnership does not entail a coalition governance model, as per a report on The Hindu. His remarks came days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially announced the BJP-AIADMK alliance last week.
Palaniswami said that even Amit Shah did not mention about a coalition government and only emphasised the alliance. Amit Shah clearly said ‘Modi for Delhi’ and EPS as the face for Tamil Nadu, he added.
EPS also took a jab at the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), questioning why the party appeared agitated by the new alliance. He claimed that they are afraid of the alliance, reported Times of India.
Following the formal announcement of the alliance last week, Palaniswami had expressed his enthusiasm on social media, describing the tie-up with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a partnership rooted in a shared vision for Tamil Nadu’s progress.
“We are honoured to be part of the NDA. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AIADMK is committed to working alongside our allies to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu,” EPS posted.
BJP Downplays Row
Meanwhile, the BJP has downplayed EPS’s remarks with Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran stating that any decision on forming a coalition government would rest with the party’s central leadership. He said that the priority of the party was to defeat DMK.
ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu Govt Amends Laws To Enable Nomination Of Differently Abled To Local Bodies
india
