Tamil Nadu's political landscape is poised for a shift, according to State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nainar Nagenthran. He declared on Tuesday that several more political parties are set to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state during the upcoming Tamil month of Thai.
New Paths to Open in Thai, Says BJP Chief
Addressing a rally in Ranipet after his return from the national capital, Nagenthran invoked a traditional Tamil saying, "Thai piranthal vazhi pirakkum", which means "when Thai is born, new paths open." He directly linked this proverb to the anticipated expansion of the NDA's coalition in the state. "In Thai, many more parties will join the NDA. The DMK government will be thrown out," he asserted confidently.
Responding to criticisms regarding the current composition and strength of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, the BJP state chief argued that electoral victories are not solely determined by the breadth of coalitions or financial power. He cited historical examples, noting that despite the DMK being part of a broad alliance in the 2011 and 2016 assembly elections, it was defeated by the late J. Jayalalithaa because she had secured robust public support. "The NDA too will win in 2026 in a similar manner," Nagenthran added, projecting confidence for the next state polls.
High-Level Meetings Signal Strategic Push
Nagenthran's statements follow his recent high-profile consultations in New Delhi, where he met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP working president Nitin Nabin. To consolidate the party's strategy, he has convened a meeting of the BJP's state high-level committee in Chennai on Wednesday.
This crucial gathering is expected to be attended by key figures including former state president K. Annamalai, who had skipped the previous party meeting in Kumbakonam. Additionally, the party's Tamil Nadu election in-charges, Arvind Menon and Sudhakar Reddy, are also slated to participate, underscoring the importance of the discussions for the 2026 electoral roadmap.
Annamalai Raises Questions on TVK's Vijay
In a parallel development, former state chief K. Annamalai, while addressing a rally in Puducherry, launched a critique against TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) president and actor Vijay. He questioned Vijay's silence on the Thiruparankundram issue, contrasting it with the leader's earlier remarks on a Puducherry MLA.
"Vijay had earlier spoken about an MLA in Puducherry allegedly being denied responsibility due to minority status, but remained silent when concerns of the majority arose in Thiruparankundram," Annamalai stated. He also used the platform to defend the Union government's proposed revisions to the rural employment scheme, claiming the Centre is providing four times more funds to states compared to the UPA era. Annamalai explained that the Centre had proposed a 60:40 funding pattern between the Union and states and challenged the rationale behind objections to this model.
The combined statements from the top BJP leadership in Tamil Nadu indicate a concerted effort to strengthen the alliance, shape public narrative, and mount a formidable challenge to the ruling DMK in the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
