AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami revealed the coalition on Wednesday, January 7, during a joint press conference in Chennai, which included PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, according to news agency ANI.
Labeling the partnership as a robust political alliance, Palaniswami remarked, “PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has also entered the NDA alliance; additional parties are anticipated to join. Our coalition is a victorious alliance,” as stated by ANI.
Reiterating this sentiment, PMK founder A Ramadoss confirmed the news, saying, “PMK has collaborated with the AIADMK to unite within the NDA.”
PMK’s regional impact
The coalition announcement followed a meeting earlier that day between Anbumani Ramadoss and Edappadi Palaniswami at the latter’s Chennai residence.
Political analysts observe that the PMK exerts a concentrated but notable influence in Tamil Nadu, especially among the Vanniyar community, which is recognized as a Most Backward Class (MBC), according to News18.
The party’s voter demographic is primarily located in northern districts such as Vellore, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, and Salem.
EPS critiques DMK government
Before this, Palaniswami stated that the NDA was strategically positioned to secure electoral advantages in the state. “The AIADMK coalition is set to achieve significant victories in the 2026 elections,” he asserted, sharply criticizing the current Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) administration.
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He further claimed, “Sexual assaults are occurring under this regime,” as relayed by ANI.
Addressing Chief Minister MK Stalin’s recent visit to Kallakurichi, Palaniswami alleged that the DMK was misappropriating initiatives that were originally introduced by the AIADMK.
Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026
The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu is heating up as the 2026 Assembly elections approach. The MK Stalin-led DMK aims to maintain its hold on power following a strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Simultaneously, the AIADMK-led NDA, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), strives to reclaim ground lost during the 2021 Assembly elections.
