However, since his return, Annamalai has avoided targeting the AIADMK and instead has trained his guns at the DMK’s youth wing secretary and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Subsequently, on 17 December 2024, Annamalai himself hinted at the possibility of an alliance with the AIADMK while speaking to reporters in Chennai.

When asked about Palaniswami’s statement that there would be no alliance with the BJP, Annamalai said there was enough time to take a call on the alliance with the AIADMK.

“When Edappadi anna is talking about the BJP on their stage, we are clear about one thing in 2026. In Tamil Nadu, the priority is to remove the DMK from power. If you ask me, whether we will all unite for it or expand the NDA alliance further, I would say that all these are possibilities in the run-up to the 2026 assembly election,” he told reporters.

In another sign of a possible thaw in relations, Annamalai appreciated the AIADMK for protesting against the ruling DMK government over the alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old student at a Chennai university last month.

On 29 December, in a post on X, Annamalai shared a news clip of AIADMK workers holding a placard at a mall in the city, demanding justice for the student.

“Politics can never be about one-upmanship on issues that affect a common man. Appreciate @AIADMKITWINGOFGL for picking up the issue and asking an important question,” Annamalai said.

Political experts said Annamalai has toned down his stance against the AIADMK based on instructions from the top leadership.

Political commentator Priyan Srinivasan said the BJP’s national leadership wants to contest the assembly elections along with the AIADMK.

“The recent performance of Annamalai at the Lok Sabha elections was not as promising as it was expected. Now the national leadership has decided to go with the AIADMK and talks are already on, which is evident from Annamalai’s shift in stance,” he said.

However, Ramu Manivannan, a former professor and head of Madras University’s political science department, said the change in stance was just the beginning and it would require hundreds of such communications to establish an alliance.

“Now he (Annamalai) has appreciated the AIADMK. But given his mode of unconventional electoral politics, tomorrow he might turn against the same AIADMK. So, parties are very cautious in establishing ties with the Tamil Nadu BJP led by Annamalai,” he said.

Political analyst Jenraam said all the BJP has to do is put Annamalai’s ego aside and have a conversation with EPS.

“There is no difference in opinion between the two parties in terms of the policies. The AIADMK left the BJP-led NDA alliance because of Annamalai. Annamalai is also going against EPS to build his stature in the western region. Once the two individuals set aside their differences, then an alliance between the two is a natural process,” Jenraam said.

However, both parties maintain that they are not in an alliance and will take a decision before the 2026 assembly elections.

Also Read: Back in action, BJP’s Annamalai positions himself as rival to Udhayanidhi & Vijay, eases up on AIADMK

‘We are in constant touch, do discuss developments’

Barring the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has never won any seats in the Lok Sabha polls or assembly elections without being in alliance with one of the two Dravidian parties.

After the demise of AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, the BJP formed an alliance with the AIADMK in the 2021 assembly elections where it contested 20 seats and won in four assembly segments. The AIADMK contested about 179 seats and won 66 seats.

Although Annamalai first initiated the idea of contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls alone in March 2024, it was the AIADMK that severed its ties with the BJP officially in September 2023, citing Annamalai’s constant criticism of its leaders.

But as the 2026 assembly elections draw closer, political commentators say the two parties will have to shed their past enmity as their shared agenda would be to defeat the DMK.

While AIADMK leaders insist they will never have an alliance with the BJP, political commentator Priyan said BJP leaders are in constant touch with AIADMK leaders in the state.

“The AIADMK supporting BJP policies in Parliament is a testament to it. They did not support the impeachment motion brought by Kapil Sabil against Justice Shekhar Yadav over alleged anti-Muslim comments at a VHP event,” he said.

“On the other hand, they support the ‘One Nation One Election’ policy in contrast to the other state parties in Tamil Nadu. Hence, the opposition is only at the surface level.”

A former AIADMK minister in the western region also confirmed that they are in touch with the BJP leaders in Delhi.

“As of now, we have not discussed the alliance. But we are in constant touch and we do discuss developments. Some time ago, we had even raised concerns about Annamalai’s criticism against our party leaders,” the former minister said.

BJP leaders in the state did not respond to questions on the relationship between AIADMK leaders in the state and the BJP national leadership.

Nevertheless, political analyst Jenraam thought the AIADMK’s first choice was to ally with actor-turned-politician Vijay.

“Only if that plan does not go well, they might move towards the BJP. The recent developments seem to have the governor’s office in the state as a coordination place for the opposition parties AIADMK, BJP and Vijay’s TVK,” Jenraam said.

On 30 December, Vijay met Governor R.N. Ravi and submitted a letter demanding that the state ensure the safety of women inside educational institutions. Within hours, the BJP’s Annamalai also visited the governor’s office with the same demand.

Saying that talks are already on between the parties, Jenraam said the BJP was also trying to bring Vijay’s TVK into its fold.

“However, it is unlikely that Vijay would go with either of the two since this is his chance to prove his capability and establish his own base,” he said, adding that the BJP and AIADMK would join hands if Vijay does not accept an alliance with the AIADMK.

The AIADMK, BJP and TVK denied having any talks about the alliance for the 2026 Lok Sabha elections.

BJP IT and social media wing co-convenor Karthik Gopinath ruled out any political support for any of the parties in Tamil Nadu.

“The support extended to AIADMK and TVK was based on the issue. The sexual assault issue needs big political support and there is no agenda behind this. Since it’s a very serious issue, it needs political parties from all backgrounds and all colours to speak out,” Karthik Gopinath told ThePrint.

Similarly, former AIADMK minister D. Jayakumar also ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP.

“It is not a decision taken now. We took it a year ago and we are strong in our decision. If they had wanted to appreciate us, they would have done it long before, because we have been the primary opposition party speaking out on every issue in the state. We would not fall for such appreciation,” Jayakumar said.

Priyan also said that it was premature to take the statements of the political parties regarding an alliance seriously now.

“As of now, they are not in alliance. But only in January 2026 will we know the real stand of the parties. Until then, everything will be speculative based on the circumstances,” he said.

(Edited by Sugita Katyal)

Also Read: Anna University sexual assault sparks political slugfest. BJP’s Annamalai whips himself in protest