As the countdown begins for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) is set to kick off a crucial statewide campaign from Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district — a known AIADMK bastion in the western part of the state. Titled “Protecting People and Redeeming Tamil Nadu,” the campaign aims to cover all 234 constituencies across the state.
EPS is scheduled to address a public rally this evening, where he is expected to take on the ruling DMK, accusing it of “failures and unfulfilled promises.” The campaign will spotlight local constituency issues while also addressing broader concerns such as deteriorating law and order, women’s safety, and the rise in drug-related crimes.
This campaign is viewed as a do-or-die moment for the AIADMK, which has been struggling to regain relevance following three successive electoral defeats since the passing of its iconic leader J. Jayalalithaa in 2016. The party’s internal leadership conflicts — particularly between EPS and former leader O. Panneerselvam (OPS) — have further hampered its revival, even after EPS consolidated control.
In the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AIADMK severed ties with the BJP, only to find itself out of power while the DMK-led alliance swept the state. Since then, the AIADMK has cautiously reopened lines of communication with the BJP, but the alliance remains shaky. On-the-ground coordination is weak, and skepticism persists among party workers.
EPS faces another major obstacle: the lack of influential allies. Apart from the BJP, whose appeal remains limited in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK is politically isolated. The emergence of actor Vijay’s party — Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) — has further disrupted the political landscape. Vijay has made it clear he won’t align with the BJP, distancing himself from any potential collaboration with the AIADMK as well.
Vijay’s declaration that he will contest as the Chief Ministerial candidate of TVK, combined with plans for a state tour from September to December and a vigorous membership drive, signals his serious political ambitions. Drawing inspiration from legendary leaders like C.N. Annadurai and M.G. Ramachandran, Vijay seems intent on translating his cinematic stardom into electoral success.
These developments raise key political questions as speculation grows over future alliances:
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Will the AIADMK break away from the BJP in hopes of aligning with Vijay’s TVK?
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Is Vijay open to alliances, or does he envision a solo bid for Fort St. George?
Meanwhile, the ruling DMK stands on a relatively firmer footing. Its alliance remains strong after three straight election wins. The party is leaning on its flagship welfare schemes — such as ₹1,000 monthly aid for women, free bus travel for women, breakfast programs for schoolchildren, and youth skill development initiatives — to retain its voter base. The DMK has also launched an ambitious door-to-door campaign, targeting enrollment of 30% of Tamil Nadu’s voters as party members.
With nine months to go until the election, Tamil Nadu’s political arena is rapidly transforming. What was once seen as a two-way fight between the DMK and AIADMK now looks increasingly like a four-cornered contest — featuring the DMK-led alliance, AIADMK-BJP, Vijay’s TVK, and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).
The 2026 election promises to be one of the most competitive and consequential in Tamil Nadu’s recent history.
