In a strategic maneuver ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the AIADMK General Council has subtly facilitated the potential reintegration of expelled leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran into the broader NDA alliance. This development reflects the BJP's discreet initiatives to unify opposition forces and consolidate votes against the ruling DMK, thereby averting fragmentation within the traditional AIADMK voter base.

The council's resolution grants AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) unequivocal authority to determine NDA partnerships, specifically those involving entities that acknowledge and support his leadership. It anticipates the inclusion of additional aligned parties to counter the DMK, interpreted by observers as an implicit reference to OPS and Dhinakaran. A senior party figure confirmed this intent, noting that seat allocations for such leaders would fall under the BJP's quota.

This resolution echoes earlier appeals for unity from veteran leader K A Sengottaiyan, who advocated for the return of V K Sasikala, OPS, and Dhinakaran to bolster the party's electoral strength. Viewed as a challenge to EPS's command, Sengottaiyan's position led to his expulsion, after which he aligned with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), highlighting internal discord.

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Both OPS and Dhinakaran recently departed from the NDA, disrupting the BJP's regional plans, yet their re-entry now seems probable. Dhinakaran has consistently criticized EPS for sidelining Sasikala, demanding a leadership overhaul. The BJP values their influence over the Thevar community in southern districts, evidenced by recent engagements including OPS's Delhi visit and Dhinakaran's discussions with BJP officials in Coimbatore.

While EPS maintains firm control over alliance decisions, the BJP's advocacy for vote consolidation has prompted this accommodation, preserving AIADMK's core structure. Nonetheless, the NDA's composition remains dynamic, with ongoing rifts in the PMK between Dr S Ramadoss and Anbumani, alongside uncertainty in the DMDK under Premalatha Vijayakanth.

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