Decision on alliance only ahead of polls: EPS after meeting Shah

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said a decision on an alliance with the BJP will be taken closer to the Tamil Nadu elections in 2026. The state should also continue to follow a two-language policy, and any proposed delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies should not adversely impact Tamil Nadu, he said told Shah.

His remarks come amid a speculation over an electoral alliance after his meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Briefing reporters about the meeting, Palaniswami said his party brought to the notice of the minister several issues faced by Tamil Nadu. “We spoke to him about people’s problems. We spoke in detail for 45 minutes. Tamil Nadu is heading in the wrong direction,” he said.

He added: “We have urged expeditious release of funds, the release of which is delayed. Tamil Nadu has been following the two-language policy and it should continue to do so. Also, the proposed delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies should be done in a manner that does not adversely impact Tamil Nadu.”

The AIADMK leader said they also raised the issues of deteriorating law and order, the Enforcement Directorate’s raids against TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation), strengthening of the Mullaperiyar dam, and linking of Cauvery and Godavari rivers.

Dismissing the buzz over a probable alliance with the BJP, Palaniswami said, “An alliance can be decided only when we are closer to the elections. Alliance and ideology are different. Our ideology is intact. Alliance will change as per demands of circumstances. Will all allies remain in DMK forever? The next election is scheduled next March. There is a year for us to decide on these things.”

The AIADMK had severed ties with the NDA in 2023, accusing Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai for insulting their leaders and Dravidian stalwarts, including J Jayalalithaa.

Meanwhile, Annamalai on Tuesday told reporters that there was nothing political in the meeting. “In the coming days the NDA will expand. Our only goal is to defeat the DMK.”

Reacting to the meeting, expelled AIADMK leaders O Pannerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran called for unity. “All those who are against the DMK should join the NDA,” Dhinakaran said.