Political Uncertainty Grips Tamil Nadu as AMMK’s Dhinakaran Claims DMK-Congress Alliance in Trouble

AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran has accused the opposition of spreading false narratives about the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to divert attention from troubles within their own coalition, particularly between the DMK and Congress in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Dhinakaran emphasized the stability of his party’s alignment with the BJP at the national level and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. “We have joined the alliance led by the BJP at the national level, and in Tamil Nadu, we are aligned under the leadership of the AIADMK,” he stated.

In contrast, Dhinakaran painted a picture of uncertainty in the DMK-Congress relationship. “There is still no clear agreement between the DMK and the Congress. It remains uncertain whether that alliance will even continue in Tamil Nadu,” he claimed, adding that the Congress party is reportedly demanding 35 to 40 seats and insisting on forming a coalition government—demands the DMK has not yet agreed to.

The AMMK leader’s comments come amid growing speculation about shifting political alliances in Tamil Nadu, where assembly elections are scheduled for the first half of 2026. The political landscape is evolving rapidly, with new players like actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party expected to transform the traditionally two-sided contest into a three-way race.

Dhinakaran also took aim at former Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), who was expelled from the AIADMK in 2022 following a leadership struggle with Edappadi K Palaniswami. While acknowledging OPS’s right to choose his own alliances, Dhinakaran criticized him for comments made in the Legislative Assembly suggesting that DMK’s MK Stalin would return to power with the blessings of former Chief Ministers CN Annadurai (Puratchi Thalaivar) and J Jayalalithaa (Amma).

“The remarks he made… are unacceptable to me and to any of Jayalalithaa’s loyal supporters. We will not accept statements that bring disrepute to the legacy and honour of our leaders,” Dhinakaran declared emphatically.

Recent speculation has surfaced about Panneerselvam potentially joining the DMK camp, particularly after he paid floral tributes to the late Jayalalithaa on her 78th birth anniversary. When questioned about this possibility, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran described it as OPS’s “personal choice,” adding that he was unaware of the nature of any meetings between OPS and Chief Minister Stalin.

The political maneuvering comes against the backdrop of the 2021 assembly election results, where the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance won 159 seats, with the DMK itself securing 133 seats. The NDA managed 75 seats, with AIADMK winning 66 of those.

As Tamil Nadu moves closer to the 2026 elections, Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to campaign on the achievements of his “Dravidian Model” of governance, while the BJP-AIADMK alliance will attempt to present a unified challenge. The potential realignment of figures like OPS and the emergence of Vijay’s TVK could significantly influence voter choices.

Political analysts suggest that the current posturing by various parties indicates an early start to election positioning, with coalition dynamics likely to remain fluid over the coming months. The uncertainty within alliances that Dhinakaran highlighted may well be a defining feature of Tamil Nadu politics leading up to the 2026 elections, as parties jockey for advantageous positions in what promises to be a highly competitive electoral battle.