EPS Comments on Frequent Delhi Visits After Meeting Amit Shah
EPS clarifies purpose of frequent Delhi visits post meeting.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) addressed criticism over his repeated visits to Delhi following a late-night meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, asserting they are essential for alliance coordination ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. EPS emphasized that senior BJP leaders like Shah are tied up with polls across multiple states, necessitating his travel to ensure smooth seat-sharing talks within the NDA. This marked his second Delhi trip in a fortnight, signaling intensified efforts to finalize the AIADMK-BJP pact.
The meeting, held around 10 pm at Shah's residence, focused less on total seat numbers—where AIADMK has tentatively agreed to allocate up to 29 to BJP—and more on resolving disputes over specific constituencies coveted by both sides. Key flashpoints include Singanallur, Nagercoil, Madurai (West and North), Thiruparankundram, Tiruttani, Coimbatore (North and South), and Velachery, where BJP leaders and AIADMK functionaries are vying for nominations. Sources indicated confidence that the discussions would pave the way for a formal agreement soon.
EPS dismissed opposition jibes likening his approach to a departure from former leader J Jayalalithaa's style, framing the outreach as pragmatic leadership amid a complex electoral landscape. He categorically ruled out any alliance talks with actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), prioritizing the NDA fold that includes allies like PMK and TMC(M). The visit surprised some second-rung AIADMK leaders, as EPS has centralized decision-making through personal diplomacy.
Also Read: Palaniswami Meets Amit Shah in Delhi as AIADMK-BJP Seat Talks Enter Final Phase
Broader seat-sharing negotiations involve smaller partners like TTV Dhinakaran's AMMK, which eyes 8-10 seats in Madurai-Ramnad-Thanjavur belts overlapping with BJP claims; Dhinakaran is set to visit Delhi on Friday. A senior AMMK functionary hinted at a potential signing ceremony in Chennai on Saturday, attended by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, EPS, and other allies such as PMK's Anbumani Ramadoss. This comes as BJP pushes some smaller parties to contest under its Lotus symbol to optimize winnability.
The AIADMK-BJP realignment revives a once-fractured partnership ruptured before 2021 polls, driven by shared anti-DMK goals and BJP's expanding southern footprint. EPS's proactive stance contrasts with past isolation, aiming to bolster NDA's tally against a resurgent DMK-led front. Analysts view the Delhi shuttle as a bid to secure funds and favorable poll strategies, amid speculation of BJP fielding fewer seats than Congress statewide.
With elections looming, Friday's updates from EPS are awaited, as the alliance eyes a pact sealing within days. His reply underscores a new normal in Tamil Nadu politics: Delhi's centrality in regional bargaining, testing AIADMK's dominance while navigating BJP's ambitions.
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