AIADMK chief hits the ground as NDA tries to steady ship in choppy waters
The rally marked the beginning of a multi-phase tour titled 'Makkalai Kaappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom (Let's Protect the People, Let's Redeem Tamil Nadu)', across all the 234 Assembly constituencies of the state by Palaniswami. Apart from resilience, the AIADMK is seeking to project unity with his allies, as well as generating momentum against the ruling DMK and actor Vijay's new party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).
Palaniswami, popularly known as EPS, will travel across the state in a specially designed bus, dining with cadres and staying overnight at their homes along the way.
One of his first halts after the launch on Monday was an interaction with farmers and weavers at Thekkampatti, where he reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the Athikadavu-Avinashi irrigation project.
'It is about reactivating our base, especially after the jolt in last year's Lok Sabha elections,' said a senior AIADMK leader from Coimbatore. While the DMK-led front had swept the polls, the AIADMK had finished third in several constituencies in the state's western region, ceding space to even the BJP.
Palaniswami's campaign comes around two-and-a-half months after the BJP and AIADMK decided to come together again. However, the alliance has been marked by mutual mistrust and visible lack of coordination.
Incidentally, former state BJP chief K Annamalai was absent from Palaniswami's Monday rally, though its leaders like Union Minister L Murugan, Vanathi Srinivasan and Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran were present. Nagendran also issued an appeal to BJP cadre to make the campaign 'a grand success'.
Annamalai had been one of the most vocal voices against the AIADMK before the alliance was reached, and was eased out as BJP state chief just ahead of the tie-up. BJP sources said that Annamalai will join EPS's campaign only in his home turf of Karur, in a largely symbolic gesture. The NDA's other partners too are fighting their own problems or not rushing to be on its side. AIADMK rebels T T V Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam were both conspicuous by their absence at the EPS rally. Another NDA ally, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), is entangled in an internal strife between its founder S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss. Vijayakanth's DMDK, which has been promised a Rajya Sabha berth, is adopting a wait and watch approach.
Countering the DMK's criticism for its alliance with the BJP, EPS said at the rally at Mettupalayam: 'Let us not forget that they (DMK) were a part of the NDA in the 1990s. What did they do for the state when they shared power at the Centre? They only looted the country when they could have implemented countless welfare schemes for our people. Now, they are spreading misinformation about our alliance with the BJP.'
The DMK and Vijay have already started their campaigns for the 2026Assembly polls. The DMK is on a door-to-door drive – 'Oraniyil Tamil Nadu' – aimed at enrolling 30% voters at the booth-level, while Chief Minister M K Stalin has launched the 'Udanpirappe Vaa' internal party outreach programme that covered 33 constituencies in 11 days.
The TVK is quietly building its grassroots presence with a membership drive, with Vijay likely to embark on a statewide tour in August. 'We will get more votes than the AIADMK in at least two dozen seats and emerge as an unquestionable third front with an at least 15% vote share,' a top TVK source claimed.
EPS has indicated that the AIADMK would welcome an alliance with Vijay, appealing to all 'anti-DMK' forces to unite, but three top AIADMK leaders earlier told The Indian Express that it was the AIADMK that did not respond to overtures from Vijay earlier. A former minister from western Tamil Nadu said that this was because 'Vijay demanded that the TVK be treated as an equal with the AIADMK'.
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