NEW DELHI: AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami’s recent remark urging people to “wait for six months” when asked about a potential alliance with BJP has set off speculation of a tie-up with BJP ahead of next year’s assembly polls.
BJP, which contested Lok Sabha polls independently, polled 11.4 per cent votes – an impressive share in a territory which is not seen as hospitable for the party-but failed to win a single seat.
More importantly, the failure to sew an alliance with AIADMK which remains strong, saw DMK along with Congress and other allies sweeping the 39 seats.
The apprehension of a repeat appears to have led the party to revisit the issue, and this time the state chief, former IPS, K Annamalai, who was opposed to the idea of partnering AIADMK, is said to have mellowed down.
Responding to Palaniswami’s statement about state BJP, Annamalai echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “For BJP too, no party is an enemy. Our goal is to defeat DMK.”
Known for his ‘barefoot penance” protest against DMK rule and past criticisms of AIADMK icons, Annamalai has softened his stance toward the latter. “There’s enough time to decide on an AIADMK alliance… Let’s see how it evolves in 2025,” he told reporters in Dec 2024, a notable shift from his earlier hostility.
Sources said that a partnership with film star Thalapathy Vijay, whose newly launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party is not off the table.
Palaniswami signaled flexibility on Tuesday, refraining from dismissing a renewed BJP alliance for 2026.