Amid strain in AIADMK-BJP ties, Palaniswami to meet PM Modi on July 26

The AIADMK Secretary General's proposed meeting with PM Modi comes amid visible strain within the alliance due to contradictory statements about power sharing.

Chennai: Amid contradicting voices within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu regarding the composition of the government if they were to win the 2026 Assembly polls, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K  Palaniswami is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26 during the latter’s visit to the state.

The meeting is expected to take place in Tiruchirapalli, where Modi will stay overnight before heading to Gangaikonda Cholapuram on the morning of July 27 to participate in celebrations marking the 1,000th anniversary of Chola emperor Rajendra’s conquest of the Gangetic Plains. 

Palaniswami, who is on a statewide tour to galvanise his party cadre ahead of the polls, has rescheduled the programmes originally planned for July 26 to make time for this meeting.

 “Certainly, both will discuss politics, although Union Home Minister Amit Shah is personally monitoring the political situation in TN and developments within the alliance. The meeting is expected to send yet another signal that both parties are committed to contesting the elections together to oppose the DMK,” a source told DH.

Palaniswami’s meeting with Modi comes amid visible strain within the alliance due to contradictory statements about power sharing. While the AIADMK claims it will form a majority government in 2026, BJP leaders, including Shah, have reiterated that it will be a coalition government with the saffron party playing an integral role.

This public display of contradiction has provided the ruling DMK and its allies with fodder to question the longevity of the NDA in Tamil Nadu. There is concern that the alliance’s cohesiveness will be disrupted if the issue persists and leaders from both parties continue to express conflicting views.

“Though the Prime Minister and the AIADMK general secretary won’t discuss intricate details of the alliance, they will certainly talk about the political situation and the 2026 elections. This will be Palaniswami’s first meeting with Modi since the AIADMK and BJP came together in April 2025,” the source added.

The AIADMK, which initially allied with the BJP in 2019, had walked out of the NDA in September 2023, blaming then Tamil Nadu unit chief K Annamalai for the decision.

Despite an open invitation from Shah, Palaniswami kept the BJP at arm’s length during the lead-up to and during the 2024 polls. However, the DMK’s 40/40 victory, its mathematically strong alliance, and framing the 2026 poll as a contest between Tamil Nadu and Delhi contributed to this change of stance.

Another source said Palaniswami has become “more assertive” in recent weeks, especially on the issue of coalition government, and that clarity will emerge as the elections approach. 

“Right now, the BJP high command is focused on the Bihar elections. They will turn their attention to Tamil Nadu after November, and only then will negotiations with the AIADMK over seat sharing and other issues begin,” the second source said.