TTV Dinakaran’s meeting with Union Minister Piyush Goyal signals his formal entry into the NDA, triggering sharp reactions from the DMK and reshaping alliance politics ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
TTV Dinakaran Meets Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Chennai: In a significant political development ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AMMK leader TTV Dinakaran has met Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Chennai.
This meeting has confirmed Dinakaran’s entry into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. The move comes at a time when alliances are being reshaped ahead of the crucial 2026 state polls.
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Union Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Chennai for a three-day visit, during which the NDA is holding key meetings. This is also linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Tamil Nadu on the 23rd, where the NDA will hold its first major alliance meeting on the outskirts of Chennai. The BJP appears to be intensifying its efforts to strengthen its foothold in the state by bringing multiple regional parties under one umbrella.
TTV Dinakaran’s decision is being seen as a political U-turn. During the 2024 elections, he had aligned with the BJP but later exited the INDIA alliance, stating his opposition to AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami being projected as the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate. However, Dinakaran has now expressed confidence that the NDA can defeat the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. According to him, the primary objective of his party, AMMK, is to remove the DMK from power.
The DMK has reacted strongly to Dinakaran’s move. Party leaders have stated that his decision will not benefit the NDA and questioned why he rejoined an alliance that includes leaders he previously opposed.
The DMK further claimed that the people of Tamil Nadu would never accept the BJP, calling it a “dangerous party” and accusing it of divisive politics. According to the DMK, any party that aligns with the BJP risks losing public support in the state.
Despite the criticism, BJP leaders maintain that forming a broad anti-DMK alliance is the only way to challenge the ruling party effectively. They argue that multiple political fronts would only split votes, weakening the opposition. As part of this strategy, the BJP is actively engaging with smaller regional parties to consolidate support.
The BJP is reportedly in talks with several smaller parties, including Vijayakanth’s DMDK. While there were speculations about bringing actor Vijay’s TVK into the alliance, the party has clearly stated it will not align with either the BJP or the DMK. Additionally, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has indicated support for the NDA, further strengthening the alliance.
All eyes are now on whether the DMDK will join the NDA ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. TTV Dinakaran’s entry into the NDA has intensified political tensions in Tamil Nadu. As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, the battle lines between the NDA and the DMK are becoming clearer, setting the stage for a fiercely contested election.
