As reported by Hindustan Times (HT), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the attendees.
This development has sparked speculation that the AMMK might be on the brink of rejoining the NDA, following its exit from the coalition months ago.
The rally is planned to take place in Madhuranthagam, approximately 70 km from Chennai. In preparation for the event, BJP’s election coordinator for Tamil Nadu, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, is scheduled to visit the state on Wednesday, January 21, to finalize seat-sharing agreements with allies, according to HT.
The BJP and AIADMK have positioned AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) as their chief ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Assembly elections, as per HT.
AMMK’s position on NDA and EPS
AMMK departed from the NDA in September 2025, claiming that the BJP was marginalizing the party in favor of EPS.
While senior BJP figures have since encouraged AMMK to return, party leader TTV Dhinakaran previously stated he would reconsider the alliance only if EPS was not named the chief ministerial candidate.
He has also been exploring a potential collaboration with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), according to HT.
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“Dhinakaran has now informed his party of his decision to attend the PM’s rally,” an AMMK official was quoted as saying by HT.
On Saturday, January 17, Dhinakaran told reporters: “I have committed to a political coalition that AMMK will align with them as an ally. They know I will honor my commitment. The announcement will come from the leader of the alliance.”
Negotiations and political strategy
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, known to have a good rapport with Dhinakaran, reportedly engaged in several private discussions with him following AMMK’s departure from the NDA last year.
“AMMK was in talks with TVK. Concurrently, BJP leaders also persuaded us to rejoin to present a united front against the DMK and to prevent vote fragmentation,” another AMMK leader stated, emphasizing that the party’s opposition to EPS remains firm, according to HT.
AMMK, emerging from the AIADMK, garners support from the Thevar community in southern and central Tamil Nadu.
Dhinakaran, along with his aunt VK Sasikala and former chief minister O Panneerselvam — all from the Thevar community — were ousted from the AIADMK by EPS, who represents the Gounder community prevalent in western Tamil Nadu.
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“This marks the first occasion NDA leaders will share a platform after AIADMK and BJP rekindled their ties in April 2025,” a senior BJP leader acknowledged, highlighting efforts to integrate parties such as DMDK, AMMK, and TVK into the NDA coalition.
The ruling DMK continues to spearhead the Secular Progressive Alliance, which is part of the INDIA bloc, alongside the Congress and various regional partners.
