With the DMK having firmed up a large alliance of 23 parties in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK is reportedly keeping its alliance options open and waiting for actor-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) had said during a campaign event in Namakkal that an alliance with TVK was taking shape. However, TVK sources later stated that no decision had been taken on an alliance with the AIADMK.
Following this, Vijay publicly criticised not only the DMK but also the AIADMK. After these remarks, the AIADMK leadership is said to have dropped its immediate efforts to form an alliance with him.
Political circles say Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s 23-party combine has left the AIADMK with limited options, making TVK’s entry crucial for a competitive alliance. Reports claim EPS has asked party functionaries to work towards bringing Vijay into the AIADMK-led front, and that seat-sharing discussions are being kept pending as he awaits Vijay’s decision.
TVK sources also claim that the BJP, like the AIADMK, sees an alliance with TVK as necessary and has been in talks with Vijay. AIADMK leaders are also said to have conveyed to Vijay that contesting alone, without a major alliance partner, could make it difficult to withstand last-minute pressure from the DMK.
