AIADMK-TVK Alliance Speculation: Vijay's Party Distances Itself After EPS Claims

Chennai:

A day after AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) suggested a potential alliance with the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam - noting TVK flags visible at his rally - Vijay's actor-led party on Thursday distanced itself from these implications.

TVK sources informed NDTV that "individuals carrying TVK flags at the AIADMK rally are not our members," separating the party from any political collaboration with the opposition Dravidian major. However, when questioned directly about ongoing alliance discussions, a senior TVK official remained ambiguous, neither affirming nor rejecting the possibility.

These statements followed EPS's address at a major public gathering in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district on Wednesday, where he characterized the presence of TVK flags at his rally as "the commencement of a new alliance."

"Mr. Stalin continually claims the DMK-led coalition is formidable. But the victorious alliance will be under our leadership. Mr. Stalin, you depend on alliances - naturally, they're necessary - but the coalition under AIADMK will be more powerful. Observe the waving flag - they've taken the initial step! The momentum starts now. The enthusiasm from this Komarapalayam meeting will resonate loudly. Your strategy will collapse; your lofty ambitions will remain merely an illusion," he stated.

EPS's comments have triggered extensive political conjecture regarding a possible realignment of political forces before the assembly elections scheduled for next year.

Vijay has previously identified the governing DMK as his political adversary and the BJP as his ideological opponent but has carefully refrained from criticizing the AIADMK - a position many interpreted as maintaining possibilities for a potential alliance closer to election time. He has also publicly stated he would not engage in any direct or indirect partnership with the BJP.

The recent remarks and images of TVK flags emerge against the backdrop of the devastating stampede at Vijay's rally in Karur last month, resulting in 41 fatalities. Reports indicate that EPS has contacted Vijay following the incident.

While authorities have attributed the tragedy to TVK's mismanagement and violations, the party has rejected these accusations, describing it as a conspiracy orchestrated by the ruling DMK - an allegation the Dravidian party has strongly denied.