The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun shaping its electoral blueprint for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections, which are due early next year. According to sources, the party’s strategy revolves around strengthening the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by bringing in additional allies and ensuring that anti-DMK votes are not divided. Leaders within the BJP are convinced that expanding the NDA’s base will not only unify opposition votes against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) but also improve the coalition’s chances of narrowing the significant margin witnessed in the 2021 assembly elections. At that time, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance secured a clear majority, with the DMK alone winning 133 seats and the alliance altogether claiming 159 out of 234 seats in the state assembly. The AIADMK-led NDA, on the other hand, managed 75 seats, with the AIADMK itself winning 66, leaving a gap of nearly six percent in overall vote share between the two alliances.
In pursuit of a stronger strategy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently held discussions in Delhi with AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). The talks reportedly addressed campaign strategies as well as the potential reinstatement of certain expelled AIADMK leaders. However, EPS is said to have cautioned Shah that such a move could upset the fragile unity of the party and the larger alliance. Despite this, the BJP appears open to bringing O Panneerselvam (OPS), the former deputy chief minister ousted from the AIADMK, into its own fold. Sources suggest OPS could formally align with the BJP by the end of December or January, a development that might create friction between him and EPS.
Differences have also emerged between the allies over which new partners to invite into the coalition. EPS has shown interest in bringing Tamil film star Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) into the NDA, arguing that Vijay’s Pillai caste background could help consolidate support among forward caste communities. The BJP leadership, however, is more hesitant, fearing that his inclusion might disrupt rather than strengthen the alliance’s prospects. Similarly, the BJP is weighing the possible role of TTV Dhinakaran, leader of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and nephew of Jayalalithaa’s aide, VK Sasikala.
Party strategists believe Dhinakaran’s Thevar community base could expand the NDA’s appeal, and if EPS resists his return to the AIADMK, the BJP may attempt to bring him in directly. Sasikala herself is unlikely to contest elections but might be persuaded to campaign on the alliance’s behalf. In parallel, efforts are also being made to reconnect with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a former NDA partner with influence among the Vanniyar community, though differences remain over the terms of engagement.
Insiders reveal that the BJP high command is determined to prevent smaller regional outfits from fragmenting the anti-DMK vote. The leadership is pushing the AIADMK to accept new electoral equations and move beyond old rivalries to build a more cohesive alliance. Plans are underway for joint BJP-AIADMK campaigning to begin next month, with the focus set on criticizing the DMK government’s governance record and mobilizing public sentiment against the ruling party. While negotiations and disagreements continue, the BJP appears intent on broadening the NDA umbrella, believing that only a united and strategically diverse coalition can pose a serious challenge to the DMK in the upcoming elections.
