BJP’s Lotus Symbol Push for Allies Triggers Tension with AIADMK Ahead of Tamil Nadu Polls

Chennai: Emerging signals from within the NDA fold in Tamil Nadu suggest a quiet but consequential tussle over symbols and electoral space ahead of the Assembly elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exploring a plan to field smaller alliance partners under its ‘lotus’ symbol—an idea that has reportedly unsettled Edappadi K. Palaniswami and delayed formal seat-sharing agreements.

Sources indicate that the BJP is keen to have several minor allies contest on its symbol rather than their own, a move seen as an attempt to consolidate vote share and strengthen its organisational footprint across constituencies. The strategy draws from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where a broad coalition under the BJP umbrella—including parties such as PMK, factions led by A.C. Shanmugam, John Pandian, O. Panneerselvam, AMMK, and the Tamil Maanila Congress—helped push the alliance’s overall vote share to around 18%.

Following that election, the BJP aligned with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led front for the Assembly polls, collectively branded as the NDA in the state. However, seat allocation has become a sticking point. Palaniswami is understood to be firm on limiting the BJP’s direct share to around 27–29 constituencies.

The friction, however, lies beyond numbers. The BJP is believed to be encouraging smaller allies—including the Tamil Maanila Congress, Puthiya Needhi Katchi, Puratchi Bharatham, South Indian Forward Bloc, IJK, and groups aligned with John Pandian—to contest on the lotus symbol. Some of these parties have previously done so, lending weight to the proposal.

If implemented, the plan could see candidates across nearly 50 constituencies contesting under the BJP’s symbol, effectively pooling votes under a single banner. Party strategists in Delhi reportedly view this as a dual advantage: projecting a stronger statewide presence and ensuring that votes secured by allies are reflected as support for the BJP.

The development has not gone down well with Palaniswami. According to sources, he fears that such a move could shift the perceived leadership of the alliance towards the BJP, especially if a large number of candidates contest under its symbol. There are also concerns about whether this approach would translate into winnable outcomes across regions.

The unease is said to be one of the reasons why the AIADMK has yet to formally sign seat-sharing agreements, even with smaller partners. Palaniswami is believed to prefer that these parties contest under the AIADMK’s ‘two leaves’ symbol, thereby maintaining the party’s centrality within the alliance.

Amid the growing divergence, indications are that Palaniswami may travel to Delhi to take up the matter directly with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, signalling that negotiations within the alliance are far from settled.