Ahead Of Crucial AIADMK Meetings, EPS Hosts Dinner For MLAs & Justify Alliance With BJP

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, EPS, hosted a dinner for party MLAs at his residence on Wednesday, April 23, following the formal revival of the party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 11, The New Indian Express reported.

The event was attended by nearly all AIADMK MLAs and several senior leaders, ahead of two key internal meetings - the district secretaries' meeting on April 25 and the executive committee meeting scheduled for May 2.

The dinner, seen as a move to solidify support within the party ranks, comes at a critical juncture. The AIADMK-BJP alliance has been a contentious topic within the party, especially since the two parted ways in 2023 after a period of strained ties. Despite that, both parties have now agreed to rejoin forces, signaling a renewed effort to challenge the ruling DMK in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the report added.

The AIADMK and BJP first joined hands during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and continued their alliance in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. While the partnership helped the AIADMK consolidate a broader anti-DMK voter base, it also drew criticism from some sections within the party, particularly over ideological differences and issues of regional political autonomy.

After a formal break in 2023, tensions between the two parties simmered. However, the recent realignment suggests a pragmatic shift in political strategy. With the DMK firmly in power and gearing up for re-election, EPS appears to be rallying support around the idea of consolidating all anti-DMK votes through alliances with like-minded parties, including the BJP.

Wednesday's dinner served as a platform for EPS to reinforce unity within the party and to address internal dissatisfaction over the renewed BJP alliance. While senior leader KA Sengottaiyan was notably absent, citing no official reason, the majority of MLAs were present, including senior figures like Thamizhmagan Hussain, M Thambidurai, CVe Shanmugam, and B Valarmathi.

The AIADMK is now expected to finalize its strategy and organizational roadmap for the 2026 elections in its upcoming meetings, with the BJP alliance likely to remain a central focus.