Boost for NDA as Dhinakaran's AMMK joins AIADMK-led alliance ahead of Tamil Nadu polls

TTV Dhinakaran is set to meet Piyush Goyal today at 11 am.

• TTV Dhinakaran's AMMK formally rejoins NDA ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly polls
• Dhinakaran to meet Union Minister Piyush Goyal and attend PM Modi's rally Friday
• BJP may offer seven Assembly seats to Dhinakaran, talks on for OPS's inclusion

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AMMK's TTV Dhinakaran on Wednesday formally joined the NDA ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly election.

“This is not a new beginning. This effort is not just for the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, but for Tamil Nadu as a whole. I will extend my support and stand by initiatives aimed at creating good governance and an administration that the people desire," he told the media.

Dhinakaran said making compromises would not weaken his side, and described it as a “dispute between allies” with Palaniswami.

"This is a new beginning, and we will strive to form a new governance in Tamil Nadu. We are starting towards that. I would like to say just a one thing, those who sacrifice have never gone down. As true followers of Amma (Jayalalithaa), we will all unite together and form governance," said Dhinakaran.

Dhinakaran is set to meet Union Minister Piyush Goyal today at 11 am. According to reports, Dhinakaran had conveyed the decision to his party functionaries and asked them to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Madhuranthagam on Friday. AMMK joining the NDA is a boost to the alliance, which will kick-off its campaign at the public meeting where PM Modi will share the stage with all constituents of the combine.

Dhinakaran has now decided to rejoin the alliance following a request from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, according to reports.

AMMK had quit the NDA in September 2025 accusing the BJP of “cold-shouldering” the party to appease the AIADMK led by Palaniswami and was toying with the idea of aligning with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).

Dhinakaran is said to retain a significant, though diminished, influence over the Thevar vote bank in southern Tamil Nadu, often acting as a spoiler for the AIADMK.

A senior BJP leader told Times of India that the party has proposed offering seven Assembly seats to Dhinakaran, including Andipatti and Sholingur. Talks are also underway to accommodate O Panneerselvam along with the AMMK.