In a significant political realignment ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TTV Dhinakaran, chief of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), has officially rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This move comes just months after Dhinakaran exited the alliance, blaming the “arrogance” of AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). After a high-level meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Dhinakaran justified his return with the remark, “Those who compromise do not lose.” He is now expected to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mega public rally near Chennai this Friday, alongside other top NDA leaders.
The NDA Power Bloc in Tamil Nadu (2026)
The re-entry of Dhinakaran solidifies a broad coalition aimed at challenging the ruling DMK. The following leaders are expected to show a united front at the PM’s upcoming Chennai rally:
| Leader | Party |
| E. Palaniswami (EPS) | AIADMK |
| TTV Dhinakaran | AMMK |
| Anbumani Ramadoss | PMK |
| G.K. Vasan | Tamil Maanila Congress (M) |
| T.R. Paarivendhar | IJK |
| John Pandian | TMMK |
| Poovai Jagan Moorthy | Puratchi Bharatham |
The EPS-Dhinakaran Friction
The most critical aspect of this development is the co-existence of EPS and TTV Dhinakaran within the same alliance.
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Historical Rivalry: The two have been at loggerheads since the split of the original AIADMK following J. Jayalalithaa’s demise.
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Strategic Necessity: The BJP central leadership has been pushing for a “United AIADMK” or at least a coordinated front of all splinter groups to consolidate the anti-DMK and pro-AIADMK vote bank.
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Vote Bank Impact: Dhinakaran’s AMMK holds significant sway in specific pockets of Southern Tamil Nadu and the Delta region, which could be crucial in a multi-cornered contest.
Upcoming Milestone
PM Modi’s Chennai Rally (Friday): This event will serve as the official launch of the NDA’s 2026 Assembly election campaign. The presence of both EPS and Dhinakaran on the same stage will be the first major visual confirmation of this “compromise” alliance.
