Sun Apr 13 18:28:36 UTC 2025: ## DMK Faces Tougher 2026 Tamil Nadu Election After BJP-AIADMK Alliance
**Chennai, April 14, 2025** – The formalization of the BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu has sparked a wave of reactions, with the ruling DMK acknowledging a tougher road ahead in the 2026 Assembly elections. While the alliance wasn’t unexpected, Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin criticized the AIADMK for “mortgaging” the interests of Tamil Nadu.
DMK’s Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu downplayed the alliance’s strength, highlighting internal differences and predicting its imminent fracturing. He also pointed to actor-politician Vijay’s uncertain stance, suggesting a three-cornered contest that could benefit the DMK. The DMK’s confidence is bolstered by their existing alliance and the government’s ongoing welfare schemes.
The CPI(M), a DMK ally, similarly believes the alliance poses little threat, predicting the BJP-AIADMK will lose minority votes. However, they acknowledged the anti-incumbency factor facing the DMK and urged the party to address outstanding issues before the election.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, K. Selvaperunthagai, asserted the alliance will ultimately harm the AIADMK, citing the BJP’s unpopularity in the state and the recent Supreme Court ruling against Governor R.N. Ravi. He suggested that any anti-incumbency votes would likely go to Vijay’s party.
The BJP-AIADMK alliance is expected to include the PMK and DMDK, though the latter’s leader is adopting a wait-and-see approach. The BJP’s strategy seems to focus on consolidating caste-based votes, as evidenced by the appointment of Nainar Nagenthran as the new state president.
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