AIADMK General Council Opens Path for OPS and Dhinakaran's Return to NDA Alliance Ahead of Tamil Nadu 2026 Elections

Chennai:

The AIADMK General Council has taken a significant political step today, subtly creating a pathway for the potential return of expelled leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran to the NDA coalition. This strategic move comes as Tamil Nadu prepares for the 2026 assembly elections and appears to align with BJP's behind-the-scenes efforts to unify opposition votes against the ruling DMK.

This political shift emerges amid growing indications that the BJP has been encouraging AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS) to welcome these formerly expelled leaders back under the broader NDA umbrella, even if not directly into the AIADMK party structure itself.

In a strategically worded resolution, the General Council has granted EPS complete authority to determine which parties can join the NDA coalition, specifically those who "understand, accept and cooperate with EPS' leadership." The resolution further stated that "more like-minded parties are expected to join the NDA to defeat the common enemy, the DMK" – language widely interpreted as a coded reference to OPS and Dhinakaran.

A high-ranking AIADMK official confirmed this direction to NDTV, explaining: "The General Council may tacitly refer to this. You can understand the moves behind these." Regarding electoral arrangements, the official clarified that "The BJP would allot them under their quota of seats."

The General Council's approach follows veteran AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan's public call for reintegrating V K Sasikala, OPS, and TTV Dhinakaran to strengthen the party's electoral position. Sengottaiyan contended that only a unified front could effectively challenge the DMK. However, this stance was perceived as dissent within the EPS-led hierarchy, ultimately resulting in Sengottaiyan's expulsion. Following his removal, he joined Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), indicating his disillusionment with the current leadership.

Both OPS and Dhinakaran had recently departed from the NDA alliance in quick succession, creating complications for BJP's Tamil Nadu strategy. Their potential return now seems increasingly probable.

Dhinakaran has consistently criticized EPS as a betrayer for removing Sasikala despite her instrumental role in elevating him after Jayalalithaa's death. He continues to demand leadership changes within AIADMK. From the BJP's perspective, both leaders remain essential for securing the Thevar-dominant southern voting bloc, explaining the party's active engagement efforts. Recent political developments – including OPS's Delhi visit and Dhinakaran's meeting with BJP representatives in Coimbatore – have accelerated this realignment process.

While EPS had previously firmly opposed any return of his rivals, the BJP has emphasized that preventing fragmentation of AIADMK votes is essential for mounting an effective challenge against the DMK. Today's resolution achieves a delicate balance that preserves EPS's authority while providing the BJP with its desired flexibility.

The resolution ensures EPS maintains complete control over alliance decisions, allows OPS and Dhinakaran to rejoin the NDA through the BJP's allocation of seats, and preserves the AIADMK's organizational structure and hierarchy.

Despite these indications of greater cohesion, the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu remains fluid. The PMK continues experiencing internal divisions between founder Dr S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani, while the DMDK under Premalatha Vijayakanth has yet to determine its political direction.