'Amit Shah said PM Modi in Delhi, EPS in Chennai': AIADMK chief denies power-sharing for TN polls

Edappadi K Palaniswami

Days after AIADMK formally rejoined the BJP-led NDA, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday reportedly asserted that there won't be a coalition government in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly elections.

EPS's statement is seen as a direct contradiction to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks made on April 11 during the formal alliance announcement in Chennai, where he said that a coalition government led by the AIADMK would be formed in 2026.

When asked about Shah’s statement — seen as a significant political shift in the State's politics — EPS reacted sharply, claiming the remarks were being misunderstood. “He (Shah) didn't say it would be a coalition government. You are misinterpreting and trying to play tricks. Please stop that,” EPS told presspersons, according to The New Indian Express.

Palaniswami said Shah only meant that the “AIADMK-BJP alliance” would form the government. “He said that at the national level, the alliance will be headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and in Tamil Nadu, it will be headed by me. Can’t you understand that?” he asked, urging the media to refrain from sensational interpretations, reported the publication.

The BJP has not yet responded to EPS' declaration, but it is unlikely that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party will be impressed. The PM had earlier expressed his happiness - "stronger together..." he posted on X - over the AIADMK's decision to join his party-led national alliance.

The apparent contradiction comes amid reports some AIADMK leaders are unhappy with the prospect of a BJP alliance. The unhappiness stems partly from concerns over loss of votes from minority communities, and also the AIADMK-BJP alliance's poor track record in the last three major elections in the state - the 2021 Assembly and 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In 2021 the AIADMK, allied with the BJP, won 75 seats - down from 136 in the election prior - and was dumped out of power by the DMK and Congress. It was similarly routed in the 2019 and 2024 general elections, before which it snapped ties with the BJP winning just one of the 20 and 34 seats contested.