Strong words from AIADMK on BJP

The opposition party, AIADMK, has formed an alliance with BJP ahead of the upcoming 2026 state assembly elections. Though the alliance appears to be strong from outside, there is a lack of enthusiasm among AIADMK’s grassroots supporters. Criticisms are being raised that the alliance has not yet fully come together on the ground.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has been constantly repeating that he will be the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance. The state BJP president Nainar Nagendran has endorsed this. However, TTV Dhinakaran, General Secretary of AMMK, one of the alliance parties said, "We will choose the Chief Minister only after the elections."
The hesitation of the BJP to firmly and clearly announce that "AIADMK alone will form the government, not a coalition government," as claimed by EPS, is seen as the reason behind the current setback in the alliance.
Now, AIADMK’s organizing secretary and former minister Anwar Raja has spoken at length about the alliance and shared various points. When asked, "What if the BJP insists on a coalition government after the election?" he firmly responded, "AIADMK will form the government with a clear majority, and we will not bow to any pressure."
When asked how he views the BJP’s efforts to gain a foothold in Dravidian soil, he replied, "BJP’s ambitions to gain ground in Tamil Nadu will never succeed." To prepare for the elections, EPS has launched his election tour, Let’s protect the people, Let’s save Tamil Nadu, from Coimbatore on Monday.
Though no senior AIADMK leaders have provided clarifications regarding Anwar Raja’s comments, a serious question arises and that is won’t Anwar Raja’s remarks impact the alliance?
Every time the AIADMK and BJP come together to present their strengths to the people, Anwar Raja has been sidelined due to his strong criticism of the BJP. Now, at a time when BJP leader Nainar Nagendran has announced that he will take part in Edappadi Palaniswami’s campaign tour, Anwar Raja’s latest remarks have stirred a fresh storm in Tamil Nadu’s political arena.
Although the AIADMK and BJP have officially formed an alliance, the perception that the alliance hasn’t truly come together at the grassroots level is widely prevalent among both cadres and the public. These kinds of contradictory statements only reinforce that perception.
If the criticisms surrounding the alliance are to be put to rest, there must first be open and transparent communication from the top leaders of both parties. Unless leaders like Amit Shah or Nainar Nagendran clearly declare that "if the alliance wins, there will be no coalition government, and only AIADMK alone will govern," voters will not gain confidence in this alliance.
As the election approaches, if strong voices like Anwar Raja’s continue to echo within the AIADMK, and if BJP leaders continue with vague statements, then the differences within the alliance could end up benefiting the opposition. This is not a confusing question and its answer is no mystery either.