What Does PMK's Alliance with AIADMK Mean for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Elections?

PMK Joins Forces with AIADMK for Upcoming Elections

Chennai: The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), under the leadership of Anbumani Ramadoss, has officially allied with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

This partnership was announced by Edappadi Palaniswami, the AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition, after a series of high-level discussions in Chennai.

Anbumani Ramadoss met Palaniswami at his residence on Greenways Road, where they engaged in extensive discussions regarding the alliance's structure, coordination for the elections, and seat-sharing arrangements.

Following their meeting, both leaders addressed the media, confirming PMK's participation in the AIADMK-led coalition.

Palaniswami stated that AIADMK remains a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level and welcomed PMK's inclusion in the Tamil Nadu alliance.

He emphasized that the alliance was formed through mutual understanding between the two parties.

Palaniswami also mentioned that discussions regarding seat-sharing are nearing completion, with a formal announcement expected soon.

However, he refrained from commenting on whether initial discussions with PMK had occurred prior to this meeting.

Political insiders revealed that in the last Assembly elections, PMK contested 23 seats as part of an alliance, while AIADMK is currently offering around 15 seats to PMK in the ongoing negotiations.

Despite this, PMK is reportedly seeking more than 20 seats, leading to intense negotiations between the two parties.

Additionally, AIADMK has set certain conditions during the negotiations, including limits on the number of seats and clarity on leadership roles within the alliance.

With PMK's formal entry into the AIADMK-led coalition, the opposition in Tamil Nadu is starting to take a more defined shape as the 2026 Assembly elections approach, promising a competitive landscape with evolving alliances and vigorous campaigning.