Chennai: In a significant political move ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, Union Minister and BJP’s Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal on Thursday declared that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will come to power in the state by defeating what he termed the “corrupt and inefficient” DMK government. Goyal made the statement after a strategically symbolic breakfast meeting hosted by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami at his residence in Chennai, a gathering that political observers see as a clear signal that the alliance negotiations and seat-sharing arrangements between the BJP and AIADMK have been finalized.
#WATCH | AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami felicitates Union Minister and BJP Tamil Nadu election incharge Piyush Goyal at his residence in Chennai
(video source: AIADMK) https://t.co/g2UAaeMamK pic.twitter.com/7WMHNuzfzb
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2026
Piyush Goyal and Edappadi Palaniswami Seal Tamil Nadu NDA Alliance Ahead of PM Modi Rally
The breakfast diplomacy, which followed the recent entry of TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK into the NDA fold, sets the stage for a show of unity at the alliance’s first major election rally, to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu, on January 23. All key NDA partners, including the AIADMK, BJP, PMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, and other smaller parties, are expected to share the dais, projecting a consolidated front against the ruling DMK.
Addressing the media jointly with Palaniswami after the meeting, Piyush Goyal launched a sharp attack on the M.K. Stalin-led government. “The DMK government has done nothing for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. All sections, including women and youth, have suffered under its rule,” he said. He also demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, citing recent court criticism, and framed the upcoming battle as one between corruption and development.
In a crucial statement aimed at settling leadership questions within the alliance, Goyal said, “Nationally, Modi ji is our leader, and in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi Palaniswami is the leader of the alliance.” He added that both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had already conveyed their congratulations to Palaniswami, cementing his position as the NDA’s chief ministerial face.
#WATCH | Chennai | Union Minister and BJP’s Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal says, “We are all excited and happy that the Prime Minister will be visiting the state tomorrow. A large public meeting has been organised, and people from all over Tamil Nadu are… pic.twitter.com/pnorLngLFi
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2026
BJP AIADMK Seat Sharing 2026 Finalised After Amit Shah EPS Delhi Meeting
While speculation was rife that seat-sharing talks between the AIADMK and BJP would be a key agenda during this Chennai meeting, sources indicate that the broad contours were already settled during the earlier discussion between Amit Shah and Edappadi Palaniswami in Delhi. The BJP is understood to have pushed for a substantially larger share of seats compared to previous elections, reportedly eyeing 30-40 seats out of the 234 constituencies, a demand that had initially caused friction but now appears resolved ahead of the crucial Maduranthakam public meeting.