EPS flies to Delhi as AIADMK-BJP seat talks reach decisive stage

Chennai: With the announcement of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election schedule expected shortly, seat-sharing negotiations within the AIADMK-led alliance have entered a crucial phase. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami left for New Delhi on Tuesday morning to meet Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah, amid indications that differences over the distribution of constituencies are yet to be fully resolved.

The AIADMK, which has positioned itself as the principal challenger to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has brought the Bharatiya Janata Party back into its fold for the 2026 Assembly polls after parting ways ahead of the last Lok Sabha election. The opposition front has also expanded to include the Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam, the Tamil Maanila Congress, and smaller outfits such as the Puratchi Bharatham and the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi.

Seat-sharing formula yet to be sealed

According to sources, a consultation meeting with alliance partners in Madurai on Monday failed to arrive at a final seat-sharing arrangement. The AIADMK is learnt to have proposed contesting between 170 and 175 of the 234 Assembly seats. The BJP has reportedly been offered around 23 constituencies, the PMK 18, and the AMMK 10. The TMC may get three seats, while smaller allies could receive two each.

However, several parties are said to have pressed for a higher allocation, arguing that local strengths and social equations must be factored into the final formula. AIADMK leaders have maintained that the party cannot significantly reduce the number of seats it contests if it is to project itself as a viable alternative government.

Complicating matters further is the decision of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam to align with the DMK front, despite earlier speculation about its possible entry into the AIADMK-led alliance. Some allies have reportedly demanded that constituencies informally discussed for the DMDK be redistributed among them.

Delhi meeting seen as key

Palaniswami’s meeting with Amit Shah is being viewed as an attempt to iron out differences, particularly with the BJP, and to finalise the contours of the alliance before a public announcement. Sources indicated that beyond seat-sharing, the AIADMK chief is expected to raise concerns about what the party alleges is administrative favouritism under the DMK government.

There is also speculation that the AIADMK leadership may flag the status of cases involving certain state ministers and press for closer coordination on campaign messaging against the ruling party.

The AIADMK is understood to be aiming to release the final list of constituencies to be contested by each ally by March 6. With the DMK stepping up its campaign and smaller parties bargaining hard, the coming days are likely to test the cohesion of the opposition front.

For now, the spotlight is on Delhi, where the arithmetic of alliance politics in Tamil Nadu may be settled behind closed doors.