With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections looming, AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has launched a state-wide campaign from Mettupalayam in the western region. This area, historically considered an AIADMK stronghold, is where EPS is kickstarting efforts to rebuild his party after a string of electoral defeats since 2019. Speaking to NDTV, EPS asserted that the AIADMK-BJP alliance was set to expand, suggesting behind-the-scenes work to consolidate the opposition camp against the ruling DMK.
“Our alliance with the BJP will grow significantly in the next eight months. Many parties will join our alliance in the coming months, and it will be under AIADMK. This will be a strong alliance,” EPS declared in the interview. His remarks hint at a renewed political strategy, where AIADMK is trying to project itself as the nucleus of a broad opposition front under its leadership.
DMK Under Fire: Welfare Schemes and Tamil Identity Questioned
EPS didn’t hold back in his criticism of the ruling DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin. Calling DMK’s welfare schemes a “myth,” EPS accused the government of launching the women’s income support scheme only after AIADMK questioned their delay. “Even then, they drastically reduced the number of beneficiaries,” he said. According to EPS, AIADMK had a legacy of delivering welfare through effective governance, unlike DMK’s “token gestures.”
EPS also took aim at DMK’s often-repeated claim of championing Tamil identity. He accused the ruling party of hypocrisy for allying with the Congress, the very party associated with past language imposition controversies. “What Tamil interest is DMK fighting for? They’ve allied with the Congress – the very party responsible for the language imposition issue. That exposes their double stand,” he said.
EPS further accused Stalin of lacking confidence in his own party. “He depends entirely on his allies. AIADMK is not like that. We have a stable network across the State,” EPS claimed, reiterating the grassroots strength of his party.
Campaigning With Confidence: ‘People Want AIADMK Back’
The statewide campaign, according to EPS, is a way to reconnect with the people. He emphasized the importance of direct outreach, stating, “The yatra is to meet as many people as possible. I will go myself to the people.” He views the large crowds turning out for his events as a clear signal that people are disillusioned with the DMK and ready for change.
The AIADMK leader said that the response on the ground reflects growing support for his party’s comeback. “It’s a reflection of the coming times – AIADMK is coming back to power. That is what the people want,” he confidently remarked.
EPS has embarked on this campaign at a time when his leadership has become more assertive within the AIADMK. After marginalizing the OPS faction, EPS has worked towards consolidating control and streamlining the party’s machinery ahead of the electoral battle. His outreach campaign is viewed not only as a move against the DMK but also as an assertion of AIADMK’s independence and grassroots strength.
EPS Reacts to Actor Vijay’s Political Entry
Commenting on the political debut of Tamil actor Vijay, EPS maintained a diplomatic tone. “It’s his wish to start a party. He says he wants to serve the people – that’s a good thing. But he has just started. It will take time to understand what impact he will have,” he said.
The cautious optimism signals that while EPS acknowledges Vijay’s popularity, he remains unthreatened for now. By positioning AIADMK as a mature, time-tested political force, EPS is indirectly suggesting that experience and legacy matter more than charisma alone in Tamil Nadu politics.
Alliance in the Making, Battle Lines Drawn
EPS’s latest campaign and his clear openness to expanding the BJP-AIADMK alliance mark the beginning of what is expected to be a highly contested run-up to the 2026 elections. With strong words against the DMK and a deliberate attempt to showcase AIADMK’s past governance, Palaniswami is positioning himself and his party as a stable and credible alternative. His statement that many parties will join the alliance hints at backchannel negotiations and a broader realignment ahead.
While the DMK still enjoys the advantage of incumbency and a coalition of loyal allies, the roadshow and emerging alliances indicate that EPS and the AIADMK are not going down without a fight. As Tamil Nadu’s political climate heats up, EPS’s tour may well be the spark for a full-blown battle in the months to come.