Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, AIADMK holds talks with PMK and DMDK; T T V Dhinakaran’s party may join NDA

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the state’s main Opposition party which walked out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is making efforts to bring as many parties as possible under Edappadi K Palaniswami to project them as the alternative to the DMK.

Recently, Edappadi participated in a Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) meeting and criticised the BJP asserting they stand for the minorities. He had reiterated they will not join hands with the BJP in either the Lok Sabha polls or the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2026.

C Vee Shanmugam, one of the key AIADMK leaders, held talks with Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S Ramadoss on Monday and the meeting is being accorded importance as the PMK, one of the key parties in the state, has not yet announced its decision over the alliance.

Last week, during the special executive meeting, the PMK had passed several resolutions including its decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha poll in alliance with parties that care for the welfare of both the state as well as the country.

With the AIADMK taking these measures, the Bharatiya Janata Party is also holding talks with non-Dravidian majors.

While the AIADMK is also holding talks with the PMK and the Premalatha Vijayakanth-led Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), sources said the latter is likely to join the BJP-led NDA. During the DMDK’s executive and general council meeting, Premalatha had said they are ready to hold talks with any party but before that, they need to promise a Rajya Sabha seat to them in writing.

Besides the DMDK, T T V Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, T R Paarivendhar’s Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK), and K Krishnaswamy’s Puthiya Tamizhagam are the other parties who are likely to be part of the NDA. Former chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam will most likely campaign for the saffron party.

Meanwhile, G K Vasan’s Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) is set to hold a meeting of its functionaries next week where the party is expected to announce its decision on the alliance issue. Vasan, a key ally of the BJP, had recently called on Edappadi in Chennai and held discussions.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said their doors are open and political parties in the state are keen on joining the Edappadi-led alliance.

“Anything is possible… Even those who are part of the DMK alliance now could join us. The anti-incumbency is going to affect the DMK big time. The perception of the AIADMK having a leadership crisis is done and dusted. The parties have trust in us. G K Vasan had just recently met our leader. We are confident that a mega alliance will be formed under our leader,” Sathyan said.

With uncertainty still prevailing over the alliance issue, BJP leaders are keen on finalising the seat-sharing talks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu on February 25 to take part in the conclusion day of the party’s state president K Annamalai-led En Mann En Makkal (My Land, My People) Yatra. PM Modi is also scheduled to address a massive rally at Palladam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district.

Before Modi’s arrival, BJP national president J P Nadda is set to visit Chennai on February 11 and is expected to hold talks with key alliance leaders and party functionaries in the run-up to the Lok Sabha poll.