TTV Dhinakaran-led AMMK has returned to the NDA fold as part of an effort to consolidate political forces opposed to what it describes as the DMK’s corrupt and dynastic regime. The move comes after months of staying away from the NDA, during which the party opposed the alliance and sought an arrangement that excluded Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
In the run-up to the 2026 Assembly polls, Tamil Nadu’s political churn sharpened on January 21, 2026, as two parallel realignments underlined both the consolidation of major blocs and the eclipse of smaller factions. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by TTV Dhinakaran, formally returned to the NDA.
Dhinakaran announced the AMMK’s re-entry into the NDA after meeting Piyush Goyal, the BJP’s election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, in Chennai, in the presence of L. Murugan and Nainar Nagendran.
Goyal said the alliance was united in its resolve to defeat the ruling DMK and projected the NDA as a platform promising governance, social welfare, and cultural pride.
For Dhinakaran, the decision marked a sharp political compromise. Once a fierce critic of Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the AIADMK general secretary, he now framed past hostilities as differences between allies, arguing that the “larger objective” of unseating the DMK warranted setting them aside.
தேசிய ஜனநாயகக் கூட்டணியில் இன்று இணைந்திருக்கும் அம்மா மக்கள் முன்னேற்றக் கழகத்தை வாழ்த்தி வரவேற்ற மத்திய அமைச்சரும், தமிழக சட்டமன்ற தேர்தலுக்கான பாஜக பொறுப்பாளருமான மாண்புமிகு திரு.பியூஸ் கோயல் அவர்களுக்கு எனது மனமார்ந்த நன்றியை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். @PiyushGoyal… https://t.co/7XVOPXikaG
— TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) January 21, 2026
The AMMK had exited the NDA last year after the BJP revived ties with the AIADMK, complaining of neglect. Its return now comes amid early seat-sharing discussions and ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s January 23 campaign rally near Maduranthagam, where Dhinakaran is expected to share the stage with Palaniswami for the first time since his expulsion from the AIADMK in 2017.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who had opposed his inclusion in the AIADMK-led NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu, extended a warm welcome, calling for unity to liberate the State from what he termed the DMK’s “family rule”.
Taking to social media, EPS said, “I warmly welcome and extend my heartfelt wishes to the General Secretary of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, who has joined the NDA today. With people’s welfare as our sole objective, let all of us come together and unite to free Tamil Nadu from the grip of the DMK’s family rule.”
In our mission to dismantle the tyrannical governance of the DMK and put an end to dynastic politics, while reviving the glorious governance model of our Honorable Leader Amma in Tamil Nadu,
I wholeheartedly welcome the
General Secretary of the
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam,…— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) January 21, 2026
Amit Shah also welcomed the AMMK leaders’ re-entry into the NDA and said on X, “The people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the corrupt and dynastic rule of the DMK and are ready to bless the PM Shri Narendramodi Ji-led NDA to take Tamil Nadu to newer heights of development and prosperity.”
Stronger NDA for a prosperous Tamil Nadu.
I welcome Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam, led by @TTVDhinakaran Ji, on becoming part of the NDA.
People of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the corrupt and dynastic rule of the DMK and ready to bless the PM Shri @narendramodi Ji-led NDA to…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 21, 2026
On the same day, the DMK absorbed Vaithilingam, the Orathanadu MLA from Thanjavur district, at its headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in the presence of CM M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Long regarded as Panneerselvam’s most steadfast lieutenant, Vaithilingam’s exit effectively leaves the AIADMK rebel leader without an organisational base. It is learnt that he is also planning to join the DMK if EPS opposes his re-entry into the NDA.
Talks are on to bring smaller outfits into the NDA fold. DMDK is holding parleys with BJP top leaders. Prime Minister Modi is coming to Tamil Nadu on January 23. Before that, the NDA wants to stitch up the alliance and wants the PM to announce the mega alliance to oppose the DMK.
Meanwhile, newly elected BJP national president Nitin Nabin, in his maiden speech, sharpened his attack on the DMK and CM Stalin. Immediately after taking over the post, he criticised the opposition parties for allegedly trying to interfere with cultural and religious traditions, citing the recent Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam lamp-lighting issue and attempts to impeach a judge of the Madras High Court over the matter.
Nabin said, “Recently we saw how opposition parties tried to stop the sacred Karthigai Deepam festival on a hill in Tamil Nadu. This is not the only instance; the opposition has conspired to stop other things as well. We recently saw how an attempt was made to impeach a judge. Today, when we talk about Somnath and try to celebrate this festival of pride, the people in the opposition feel uneasy. We believe that it is necessary to confront the forces that try to stop such traditions. We must ensure that those who deny the existence of Ram Sethu and oppose the Karthigai Deepam festival have no place in Indian politics.”
The BJP national president said that the strident opposition of the DMK—the governing party in Tamil Nadu—to the bid by Hindu groups to light a deepam on a hilltop considered sacred by them has been seized by the BJP to mount a political challenge as the State heads to the Assembly polls. He said the decision of the DMK and its allies to move a motion for the removal of Justice G.R. Swaminathan, who had given a verdict in favour of Hindu groups, was aimed at targeting the parties. A Division Bench later rejected the DMK government’s appeal challenging the judgment.
