BJP Pushes Broader NDA in Tamil Nadu; AIADMK Resists Key Alliance Reset

• BJP seeks to expand NDA in Tamil Nadu for 2026 Assembly polls, aiming to consolidate anti-DMK votes by bringing back smaller regional parties and former AIADMK leaders.
• AIADMK, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), strongly resists readmitting O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran, fearing dilution of his authority and internal factionalism.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah and EPS met in Delhi to discuss alliance expansion, coinciding with PMK's return to NDA, hinting at more parties joining.
• BJP believes re-including OPS, Dhinakaran, and DMDK is crucial for electoral arithmetic, as their combined vote share could swing dozens of seats.
• AIADMK prioritizes organizational stability, wary of overcrowding the alliance which could confuse voters and force seat concessions, creating a delicate balancing act for BJP.

Why It Matters: BJP faces a tough balancing act in Tamil Nadu, pushing for a broader NDA while navigating AIADMK's resistance to alliance expansion.