Amit Shah’s Visits: Talks with AIADMK and Election Prep in Tamil Nadu, Bihar

New Delhi: Amit Shah, India’s Union Home Minister, is visiting Tamil Nadu this month to talk with leaders of the AIADMK party. He will also go to Bihar, where elections are coming up later this year, and to West Bengal, which will have elections in 2026. Although Shah’s visit to Tamil Nadu is not officially related to discussions about an alliance, it’s likely that he will meet senior AIADMK leaders as the state will have elections in 2026.

Earlier in March, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami met with Shah in New Delhi, raising hopes that the BJP might join forces with the AIADMK to oppose the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu. There have been talks behind the scenes to see if both parties can work together again, especially since there’s a lot of resentment against the DMK among voters.

Currently, AIADMK’s state president, K. Annamalai, is expected to step down, and everyone is curious who will replace him. Annamalai’s tough approach toward the AIADMK was one big reason why their relationship with BJP weakened.

Both AIADMK and BJP leaders believe that uniting against the DMK could give them a better chance to win in the state. In 2023, the AIADMK officially left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after disagreements, particularly regarding statements made by Annamalai.

The NDA now includes BJP, PMK (headed by Anbumani Ramadoss), and other parties. In the last state election in 2021, the DMK won 133 out of 234 seats, while AIADMK lost many seats, ending with only 66. The BJP got 4 seats, and PMK got 5.

Amit Shah is also going to Bihar to check on party preparations for the elections. During his last visit, he met local leaders and got updates on their situation. This time, during a two-day trip, he will outline the plan for the coming elections. He will also soon visit West Bengal to energize the party’s members and discuss strategies against the ruling Trinamool Congress. Recently, BJP members raised concerns in Parliament about issues with teacher recruitment in West Bengal.