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As the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections approach, the decisions made by Vijay and other non-Dravidian contestants will play a significant role
In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News 18, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami hinted that doors are open to all parties aiming to defeat the ruling DMK. File pic/PTI
With over eight months to go for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has launched its campaign titled “Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom” (we will protect the people and retrieve Tamil Nadu). In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News 18, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami hinted that doors are open to all parties aiming to defeat the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
“We have eight months to go. Alliances will be formed closer to elections. A few more parties will join the AIADMK-BJP alliance. How can we say whether TVK will join us for sure? Those who want to defeat the DMK should come together and win. If such parties unite, votes won’t split, and the possibility of winning is higher,” Palaniswami told CNN-News 18.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay had earlier ended speculation that his party (Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam) would not join the BJP or the DMK directly or indirectly. However, AIADMK believes that electoral alliances will only be clear closer to the election.
In response to his opinion on Vijay’s political debut, Palaniswami said, “India is a democratic country. Anybody can start a party. Anybody who wants to serve the people can start a party.”
Ever since the AIADMK joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, the DMK has accused Palaniswami of putting his party in a subservient position to the BJP. Palaniswami hit back at chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin, maintaining that both the AIADMK and the BJP aim to defeat the “anti-people government” and hence decided to form the alliance.
Throughout his campaigns, Palaniswami projects himself as a farmer, identifying with the large agrarian vote banks across the non-metro areas in the state. “The DMK chief accuses us of forming an alliance for ‘personal gains’. What gains is he referring to? I’m a farmer. What will be my gains? DMK may have a lot of assets, and to protect their assets, they may do so…we are not like that. If that were the case, we would have joined hands with them for 2024,” he has said.
While canvassing, Palaniswami is raising issues from deteriorating law and order to concerns over women’s safety.
The ruling alliance remains intact. The Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) continue with the DMK, bonded by their anti-BJP stance cemented over the years. The surprise, it turns out, may come from the opposition camp. Among the possibilities is actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) entering into some kind of support for Palaniswami’s alliance. This would prevent a split-vote scenario massively beneficial to the DMK. As a debutante, Vijay may want to test the waters by contesting alone, but there are enough examples of those who have stumbled after the initial enthusiasm in this direction.
As the election approaches, the decisions made by Vijay and other non-Dravidian contestants will play a significant role in determining who will win in 2026.
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A …Read More
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A … Read More
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