TTV Dhinakaran Back in NDA Fold: Aims to Form New Government in Tamil Nadu

TTV Dhinakaran, chief of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and former MP and MLA, has rejoined the NDA alliance just months ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, marking a significant political development. Dhinakaran had previously left the NDA, citing what he described as “arrogance” by AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister E Palaniswami.

Addressing the media after rejoining, Dhinakaran said, “Those who compromise do not lose. This is a new beginning. We will strive to form a new government in Tamil Nadu. As true followers of Amma [former AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa], we will all unite together and form the government.” His remarks underscore his intent to consolidate support and reassert his political influence in the state.

Dhinakaran’s AMMK contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as part of the NDA, which includes the BJP, AIADMK, and other allies. After leaving the alliance in September last year, he explored a potential tie-up with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, but the talks did not materialise. Recent meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly facilitated his return to the NDA fold.

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With Dhinakaran’s reentry, he is slated to attend a Prime Minister Narendra Modi public meeting near Chennai on Friday, alongside key NDA leaders in Tamil Nadu, including Palaniswami, PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) chief GK Vasan, IJK’s TR Paarivendhar, TMMK’s John Pandian, and Puratchi Bharatham’s Poovai Jagan Moorthy.

Politically, both Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam, another influential expelled AIADMK leader, belong to the Thevar community in southern Tamil Nadu. The BJP is reportedly banking on Dhinakaran’s return to consolidate the Thevar vote bank, though shifts of Panneerselvam’s key loyalists toward DMK and TVK leave the strategy’s full impact uncertain.

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