AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran rejoins NDA ahead of polls

AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Wednesday formally rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking a significant political realignment ahead of the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu. Dhinakaran met Union minister and BJP’s Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal in Chennai to convey his party’s support for what he described as the pursuit of “good governance” in the state.

#WATCH | Chennai | After announcing his party's joining the NDA in Tamil Nadu, AMMK Party General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran meets the BJP election Incharge for Tamil Nadu, Piyush Goyal pic.twitter.com/h8czkG2Hsv

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2026

Announcing the decision, Dhinakaran said the move was driven by a larger objective that went beyond past political differences. “With the larger objective in mind, we should not allow old issues to overshadow the party's interests, the welfare of Tamil Nadu, or push them aside. Making compromises for the common good does not weaken us,” he said. He added that AMMK cadres, whom he described as followers of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, would unite to ensure the return of “Amma’s rule”, people-centric governance and good governance in Tamil Nadu.Dhinakaran’s return to the NDA comes after years of sharp political hostility towards AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). Asked about aligning with Palaniswami after previously opposing him, Dhinakaran termed their differences a “dispute between allies” and said compromise was necessary to avoid harming the party’s prospects or the state’s interests.
The development marks a notable climbdown from Dhinakaran’s earlier stance, when he had publicly labelled Palaniswami a “traitor” and repeatedly ruled out working under his leadership. While the alliance has been welcomed by NDA leaders, it has also triggered unease within sections of the AMMK.Several AMMK supporters fear the move could erode what they describe as the party’s “organic anti-EPS vote base,” particularly among the Thevar community in southern Tamil Nadu. “We accept our leader’s decision, but there is anxiety about its electoral impact and the possibility of losing voters opposed to EPS for sidelining the Thevar community,” said a former MLA and senior AMMK functionary. Another leader pointed out that the AMMK had polled between 30,000 and 40,000 votes in around 20 Assembly segments in the region in previous elections, significantly denting the AIADMK’s prospects.
Soon after the alliance was confirmed, Dhinakaran stepped up his attack on the ruling DMK, accusing the state government of failing to curb drug abuse and allowing law-and-order conditions to deteriorate. AMMK leaders said Dhinakaran will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting in Chennai on January 23 and mobilise party workers as a show of strength following the tie-up.Speculation over the alliance had intensified after BJP banners at the venue for Modi’s upcoming rally in Chengalpattu featured Dhinakaran’s photograph alongside other NDA leaders, including Tamil Maanila Congress president G K Vasan, Tamil Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder John Pandian, IJK founder Parivendhar, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and senior BJP leaders.Confirming the alliance, BJP leaders said seat-sharing discussions have already begun. A senior BJP leader said the party has proposed offering seven Assembly seats to Dhinakaran, including Andipatti and Sholingur, and added that talks are also underway to accommodate former chief minister O Panneerselvam along with the AMMK.AIADMK leaders, meanwhile, said they had no objection to Dhinakaran joining the NDA as long as the move had Palaniswami’s approval. “We have opposed his induction into the AIADMK, not his presence in the NDA,” an AIADMK leader said.