Alliances, ambitions and the battle for power
As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach, the main political parties feature two coalitions: the ruling DMK-led alliance with Congress and Left parties, and the AIADMK coalition with the BJP and smaller parties. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin continues to lead the DMK, highlighting the importance of these alliances in shaping the election outcome.
The AIADMK is struggling to survive in the wake of J Jayalalithaa’s death. It is facing internal conflicts that threaten its stability. In the meantime, the expulsions of TTV Dhinakaran, O. Panneerselvam, and VK Sasikala highlight these issues and affect the AIADMK. Meanwhile, new political parties started by actor Vijay are gaining attention.
Despite being allies since 2004, the relationship between Congress and the DMK has seen some ups and downs recently. Now, ahead of the 2026 elections, Congress has demanded power-sharing, highlighting internal conflicts that could affect their strategies. O. Panneerselvam is yet to find a party that will accept him.
The DMK has never agreed to power-sharing. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and DMK leader Kanimozhi met on Wednesday at 10 Janpath to discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and their coalition politics, but no agreement was reached on seat-sharing.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore was among those who demanded power-sharing, stating, “We will continue to fight for power-sharing, and we will get it.”
This shows the determination of Congress leaders. Rahul Gandhi also raised the issue with DMK leader Kanimozhi during their meeting last week. However, the DMK has rejected the idea. The DMK has clearly stated that it will not offer a Cabinet seat to Congress. However, it reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the alliance. The DMK is offering a Rajya Sabha berth to Congress to cajole the party. Still, Congress is hoping for the next.
The party’s demands for more seats and power in the coalition highlight the importance of stability and the potential for alliances to shape a positive election outcome, inspiring confidence in political cooperation.
Dravidian parties often rely on smaller allies for votes but resist sharing power. For instance, last June, Edappadi K Palaniswami, the AIADMK general secretary, stated that there would be no power-sharing agreement, arguing that coalition governments do not suit Tamil Nadu’s political culture. He emphasised the party’s commitment to single-party rule.
The NDA’s seat-sharing plan shows a shift from exploring new ideas to implementing them, with a focus on winning more seats rather than expanding the coalition. Success depends on candidate quality, effective booth strategies, and the alliance’s ability to secure anti-DMK votes, underscoring the importance of stability and strategic planning in the upcoming elections.
AIADMK leader E Palaniswami continues to reject O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, emphasising the importance of party unity. OPS is eager to join the NDA, whether through the AMMK or by returning to the AIADMK. The key question is whether the AIADMK will welcome OPS back or leave him sidelined, and whether there are concerns about political stability and relevance. Another interesting aspect is Vijay, a popular actor, who launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in 2024 and soon announced that he would retire from films to pursue politics full-time, inspiring admiration and curiosity about his political journey.
At 51, the star is stepping back from a successful film career while remaining one of the most popular figures in Indian cinema. He significantly influences festival releases and generates revenue. The million-dollar question is whether he can get his fans to vote for him.
Vijay’s party will compete against established parties such as the Congress, DMK and AIADMK in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. His party aims to challenge both the DMK and the AIADMK and plans to contest alone. Vijay has a large fan base. NT Rama Rao and MGR too tapped this fan base and converted it into votes.
Kamal Haasan is a famous actor and the leader of the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam. He is growing his political presence in Tamil Nadu by moving from independent campaigns to aligning with the DMK. As of 2025-26, he is a Member of the Rajya Sabha, having been elected in June 2025. He focuses on centrist, anti-corruption politics and is an important ally for the DMK, especially ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. Many film stars in the state have become politicians. MG Ramachandran, known as MGR, and Jayalalithaa had very successful political careers. Earlier, CN Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi were notable figures. Both became Chief Ministers.Stalin has realised the need for a coalition and supports keeping the DMK as the principal party within it.
The political scene in Tamil Nadu is still hazy, and one will have to wait a little longer before it becomes clear. However, the talk in Tamil Nadu is that the DMK coalition might return. The vote banks of the DMK and AIADMK have been consistent. Which way the pendulum swings will be known once the coalitions are finalised.
The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal
