Chennai/ Delhi — With the Tamil Nadu assembly elections scheduled for early next year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has gone into “mission mode,” aiming to expand the NDA alliance and challenge the ruling DMK-led coalition. The party is focusing on ensuring that anti-DMK votes are not split and is finalizing strategies to appeal across caste and community lines.
On April 4, ahead of Tamil New Year, BJP announced a renewed alliance with its former ally, AIADMK, signaling an effort to consolidate anti-DMK forces. Though AIADMK once dominated Tamil Nadu politics under J. Jayalalithaa, its current influence under Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) is more limited. Following internal disputes with former CM O. Panneerselvam (OPS), EPS has maintained control while working closely with BJP leadership. Central Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent public endorsement highlighted EPS’s role in leading the fight against the DMK government under M.K. Stalin.
BJP is actively seeking to include smaller parties into the NDA to maximize vote consolidation. Efforts are underway to bring OPS on board by December or January, though AIADMK leaders are reportedly resistant. Meanwhile, EPS is keen on including Tamil superstar Vijay’s party (TVK) to capture votes from dominant communities, but BJP remains cautious, believing TVK primarily cuts into DMK’s vote share.
Disagreements also persist over parties like TT Dinakaran’s AIADMK faction and the PMK, which was previously part of the NDA. BJP strategists argue that Dinakaran’s support among the Thevar community could strengthen the NDA, while potential endorsements from Shashikala, close to Jayalalithaa, may be leveraged post-election.

In recent Lok Sabha elections, DMK secured all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu with a 46.9% vote share, its highest since 1991. BJP contested 23 seats but lost all, with a vote share increase from 3.6% in 2019 to 5.5% in 2024. Analysts note that BJP lacks the strong cadre base of DMK and AIADMK, making alliances essential for electoral impact.
BJP’s strategy in Tamil Nadu now focuses on anti-incumbency, governance issues, and corruption, rather than language or religious polarization, reflecting a shift toward local development and employment concerns. Party insiders say, “Voters are increasingly prioritizing livelihood, work opportunities, and corruption over traditional Dravidian loyalties. BJP aims to position itself as a credible alternative.”
With NDA consolidation underway, the coming months will be crucial as BJP works to unite allies, optimize vote-sharing, and mount a formidable challenge to the DMK in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
