Chennai: In a decisive political realignment, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) founder TTV Dhinakaran formally announced his party’s return to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday. The move reunites a significant section of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s support base and significantly bolsters the opposition coalition ahead of the crucial 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
Dhinakaran declared the reunion is singularly aimed at restoring the governance model of “Jayalalithaa Amma’s rule” in Tamil Nadu. In a strategic concession to ensure alliance unity, he unequivocally accepted AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) as the coalition’s chief ministerial candidate.
WATCH | Chennai | After announcing his party’s decision to join the NDA in Tamil Nadu, AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran meets BJP’s Tamil Nadu election in-charge, Piyush Goyal. pic.twitter.com/cu8zb2YDXc
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 21, 2026
Political Calculus and the Road to 2026
This political consolidation comes at a critical juncture, following recent gains by the ruling DMK, including the high-profile induction of former AIADMK minister R. Vaithilingam from the fading O. Panneerselvam (OPS) faction. The NDA’s first major show of strength will be a campaign rally in Maduranthakam on January 23, featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where all alliance leaders are expected to share the stage.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Dhinakaran framed his decision as a necessary compromise for a larger cause, invoking a couplet from the Thirukkural about repaying wrongdoing with goodwill. He characterized past conflicts within the AIADMK as an internal family feud, now set aside for the welfare of the party and the state. His meeting with Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Chennai finalized the terms of the re-entry.
VIDEO | Chennai: AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran joins NDA.
Addressing a press conference, he says, “There is nothing in having a compromise. This is a new beginning, and we will strive to form a new governance in Tamil Nadu. We are starting towards that. I would like to say just a… pic.twitter.com/3KH1CUEtUu
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 21, 2026
The reunification is a calculated effort to solidify the influential Thevar vote bank in southern and central Tamil Nadu, presenting a formidable, united opposition front. As other regional parties like the DMDK and Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) evaluate their alliances, the re-strengthened NDA aims to offer voters a clear and coherent alternative to the incumbent DMK government.