AMMK Merger Boosts NDA, Goyal Vows to End DMK Rule

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu received a significant boost on Wednesday as the TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) formally rejoined the alliance, signaling a united front against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) . The move, officials said, includes seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming assembly elections, although the exact distribution is yet to be finalized.

The formal announcement took place at a press conference held at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai , attended by senior BJP leaders including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Minister L. Murugan, BJP Tamil Nadu President Vanathi Srinivasan , and other NDA allies. The AMMK delegation was led by TTV Dhinakaran , who personally signed the rejoining agreement.

Speaking at the event, Piyush Goyal expressed his delight at Dhinakaran’s return to the NDA fold. “I am honoured and personally very happy that my good friend and senior leader, Dhinakaran ji, has decided to come back to the NDA family. I have witnessed his leadership skills and popularity since his Rajya Sabha tenure with my father between 2004 and 2007,” Goyal said.

Goyal emphasized that the alliance, which includes AIADMK under Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) , PMK led by Anbumani Ramadoss , and Tamil Maanila Congress (G.K. Vasan) , is committed to removing the DMK government , which he accused of attacking Tamil Nadu’s people, culture, and pride . On EPS’s stand, sources clarified that the AIADMK leadership fully supports the AMMK rejoining the NDA , viewing it as a strategic consolidation to counter DMK’s electoral strength.

Political analysts note that AMMK’s vote base, estimated at around 3-5% of the state’s electorate , is concentrated in key urban constituencies of Chennai, Vellore, and southern districts , which could prove crucial in tightly contested seats. Experts also suggest that AMMK’s return to NDA now is likely influenced by the approaching assembly elections and the desire for greater political relevance , after limited electoral success when contesting independently.

The DMK reacted cautiously , with senior leader M.K. Stalin’s office described the development as a “political maneuver” and asserted that the party’s governance record and grassroots presence would outperform opportunistic alliances .

The NDA has outlined a campaign roadmap focused on highlighting DMK’s alleged corruption, misgovernance, and anti-India rhetoric , while promising developmental projects, women’s safety, youth employment, and good governance . According to insiders, NDA plans to launch coordinated rallies across all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, leveraging the combined leadership of AMMK, AIADMK, PMK, and TMC to consolidate anti-DMK votes.

With the AMMK merger , the NDA hopes to present a unified front capable of challenging DMK’s dominance , creating a three-way contest in several urban and semi-urban regions that could tilt the electoral balance in its favor.