Wed Jul 16 12:43:10 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**AIADMK’s EPS Declares Solo Run in 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, Dismissing BJP Coalition Talks**

Chennai: Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), has firmly stated that his party will form a single-party government in Tamil Nadu should it win the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. This declaration comes amidst speculation of power-sharing negotiations between the AIADMK and its on-again, off-again ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Our alliance will win… but the AIADMK will form the government on its own,” EPS said, dismissing rumors of tension with the BJP, despite having allied with them in the past. He asserted that the AIADMK leads the alliance and that his decision to lead as Chief Minister is final.

EPS also downplayed any suggestion of discord with the BJP, with whom the AIADMK re-formed an alliance in April 2025. “The media needs a sensational story… but there are no cracks in our alliance. The AIADMK will win a majority and form the government independently,” he stated. This contrasts with earlier remarks where EPS hinted that any deal with the BJP was solely for the purpose of the election.

The AIADMK-BJP alliance had previously broken down in 2023 after strained relations. However, it was revived earlier this year, with BJP leader Amit Shah stating there were “no conditions” this time around. Shah’s recent comments regarding a potential coalition government seem to have triggered EPS’s forceful assertion of the AIADMK’s independent ambitions.

Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician Vijay and his Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) are emerging as a significant contender in the upcoming elections. Vijay has clearly stated he would not ally with the DMK, BJP or AIADMK. Instead, the actor is set to contest solo and is his party’s chief ministerial candidate.

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