TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) officially rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. This move comes ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections expected in April-May 2026. The re-entry strengthens the NDA, which includes the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as it prepares to challenge the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the state.[en+4]
Alliance Takes Shape
AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran announced his party's return to the NDA after meeting Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Chennai. Goyal serves as the BJP's election in-charge for Tamil Nadu. Dhinakaran stated the decision aims to restore the "golden rule of Amma" (referring to late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa) and secure a power-sharing arrangement in Tamil Nadu. He expressed confidence that AMMK will win significant seats and participate in a coalition government.[thehindu+6]
The rejoining marks a significant development in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. It follows a period of strained relations between Dhinakaran and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who leads the NDA in the state. Dhinakaran had previously taken a strong stance against Palaniswami's leadership of the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu. However, he softened his position and agreed to rejoin, framing past hostilities as "sibling rivalry" that should be set aside for the "larger objective" of unseating the DMK.[thenewsminute+5]
The AIADMK and BJP reunited and formed an alliance on April 11, 2025, with Palaniswami announced as the chief ministerial candidate for the AIADMK-led NDA. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), led by Anbumani, also formally joined the AIADMK-led front on January 7, 2026. AMMK had been part of the BJP-led NDA for the 2024 Indian general election but announced its exit from the alliance on September 3, 2025.[en+6]
Political Landscape Shifts
The return of AMMK to the NDA is expected to help consolidate votes, particularly from the Mukulathors community, which is dominant in southern and central Tamil Nadu. This consolidation aims to prevent a split in votes that occurred in 2021 when AMMK and AIADMK contested separately. The NDA's primary goal is to defeat the incumbent DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which currently holds power in the state. In the 2024 general election, both the AIADMK-led alliance and the BJP-led NDA contested separately and did not win any seats in Tamil Nadu.[hindustantimes+5]
Tamil Nadu's Legislative Assembly has 234 seats, and any alliance or party needs at least 118 seats to form a government. The upcoming 2026 elections are crucial for all parties involved, as alliances often play a significant role in the state's competitive electoral battles.[timesofindia+2]
Leaders Speak Out
Following the announcement, AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran emphasized the importance of unity. "Setting aside our past differences and keeping the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu in mind, we have wholeheartedly joined the NDA to unseat the DMK from power," Dhinakaran said. He also stated, "The AMMK will win considerable seats and a coalition government will be formed and we will take part in the ministries". Dhinakaran acknowledged the "sibling rivalry" with AIADMK but stressed that compromises for the common good do not weaken them.[thehindu+2]
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami welcomed AMMK's decision. He said Dhinakaran's move aimed to end the "brutal reign" of the "evil force DMK" and re-establish Jayalalithaa's "golden rule". Palaniswami added, "With a common aim of public welfare, we are joining and will revive Tamil Nadu from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) misgovernance". Union Minister Piyush Goyal also welcomed Dhinakaran back, stating the NDA would "work together and defeat the anti-Bharat DMK alliance".[thehindu+4]
The re-alignment of AMMK with the NDA signals a concerted effort by the alliance to consolidate anti-DMK votes and present a united front in the keenly anticipated 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
