3.45 Mins Read: AIADMK-BJP alliance has sent shockwaves into the DMK-led alliance, causing political instability and increasing tensions among its minor allies. With the opposition front now looking increasingly united, internal strains in the DMK alliance have intensified, particularly over seat-sharing deals before the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
The AIADMK-BJP alliance, sealed on April 11 through the game-changing leadership of AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), has greatly reduced smaller parties’ chances for alliances. From a four-cornered negotiation game — where AIADMK, DMK, BJP, and Vijay’s new party TVK were all in the running — it has boiled down to an effectively bipolar fight between the DMK and AIADMK alliances.
❖ DMK Allies in Disarray
Smaller parties in the DMK alliance, who had previously tried to use the threat of switching sides to AIADMK or TVK to gain bargaining leverage, are now cornered. The recent switch has broken any remaining illusion of alternative alignments, and these parties have been left with what the DMK has to offer.
The CPI(M), with the new leadership of state secretary P. Shanmugam, has been quietly putting pressure on the DMK by publicly criticising parts of the ruling government — an action seen as a ploy to demand more seats. The CPI, on the other hand, is quietly in step, but internally supporting CPI(M)’s bid for more representation. Both Left parties are pushing for more prominence in the coming elections, particularly with the alternative doors now closed.
❖ Congress Demands a Larger Stake — and Influence
The Congress, another important DMK ally, has been getting progressively vocal on its demands. During a recent party convention, district functionaries insisted on 72 assembly constituencies. State General Secretary A.V.M. Sheriff even circulated posters calling for a share of power post-2026. Senior leader K.R. Ramasamy also made the party’s position clear, saying Congress is squarely in the DMK fold and entitled to demand a share in power.
These popular demands resonate with earlier tensions — particularly in 2006–11, when Congress supported a DMK minority government but was refused a share in power. That yardstick now stokes present-day demands for a more balanced deal.
❖ MDMK Deeply Merged, But Weak
For Vaiko’s MDMK, complete reliance on the DMK is now obvious. Having no MPs or MLAs of its own, MDMK’s electoral existence is dependent on the mercy of the DMK, which will perhaps give only a few symbolic seats under its ‘Rising Sun’ symbol. Political analysts point out that the MDMK has almost lost its independent existence in the alliance.
❖ VCK’s Tightrope Walk
Thol. Thirumavalavan’s Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is still balancing on a political tightrope — one foot in the alliance, and the other exploring waters. While at times he criticises the DMK’s administration, he is quick to assert his loyalty to the alliance. This contradictory approach is viewed as an expression of intense concern that the DMK would marginalise or dilute his party.
During the 2021 polls, Thirumavalavan struggled hard just to contest on his party’s symbol in six seats. Though the party was not happy with the seat-sharing initially, the DMK managed to persuade its allies to concede in the interest of vanquishing the BJP-AIADMK alliance. That pressure will most likely recur in 2026.
❖ Vijay’s TVK: The X-Factor
With EPS consolidating a stable partnership with the BJP, Vijay’s TVK is now the lone viable option for smaller parties who want an alternative political platform. There is a growing possibility of TVK coming into the AIADMK-BJP front. For Vijay, the main political goal being to beat the DMK, forming a tie-up with the AIADMK-led alliance may be the sole workable plan to register electoral success.
Yet, DMK’s allies are still hesitant to form an alliance with a first-timer. In spite of youth enthusiasm, TVK has yet to show its vote-bank credibility, which makes it a gamble for the Congress, Left, and VCK — who end up being roped into the DMK due to growing frustrations.
❖ DMK’s Decreasing Influence
The AIADMK-BJP coalition has deprived DMK’s allies of their largest bargaining tool: the threat of switching sides. With no other options, these parties are now being forced to settle for whatever they can get from the DMK. The political arithmetic has changed dramatically — a whole year ahead of the elections.
This early consolidation has allowed the AIADMK and BJP to start gearing ground-level workers and leadership hierarchies for synchronised campaigning. TVK’s inclusion in the coalition is currently being actively discussed, and sources indicate that crucial developments are likely within the next few months.
If the bid succeeds, this may signal the birth of a strong anti-DMK alliance — one that can provide the most serious challenge to the ruling party in years.
— By ‘Amma’ Gopi, Senior Journalist & AIADMK IT Wing Executive
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