In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Union Minister and BJP’s Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal held talks with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) in Chennai to kick off formal seat-sharing discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), sources said.
The meeting comes as part of broader alliance negotiations within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, with the two parties aiming to consolidate anti-incumbency votes and present a united front against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the upcoming polls.
Goyal, who was received by EPS and senior AIADMK leaders, initiated structured discussions on sharing Assembly seats for the election, expected to be held later this year. Both leaders underlined the importance of close coordination to strengthen the NDA’s challenge to the DMK, though specific seat numbers were not disclosed.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Goyal emphasised that the alliance seeks to offer development-focused governance and a better future for key voter groups such as women, youth and farmers. He reaffirmed the NDA’s commitment to contest the election together under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EPS in Tamil Nadu.
The seat-sharing talks are seen as crucial groundwork in the run-up to the state polls, with the BJP reportedly seeking a larger share than it contested in previous Assembly elections, reflecting its intent to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu.
AIADMK, which has been the principal opposition force in the state, is leading the alliance discussions, signalling its central role in shaping the NDA’s electoral strategy. Political observers note that accommodating allies and striking a balance between regional aspirations and national party interests will be key to the alliance’s success.
Leaders from both sides have indicated that further rounds of negotiations are expected in the coming weeks, including consultations with smaller parties that may join the NDA fold. While formal agreements are yet to be finalised, the talks mark an important step toward building an expanded electoral coalition aimed at defeating the DMK government in this year’s Assembly elections.