Palaniswami told reporters that he met Amit Shah to demand the release of funds for various schemes in Tamil Nadu.
Published Mar 26, 2025 | 2:25 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 26, 2025 | 7:59 PM
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (X)
Synopsis: Palaniswami’s meeting with Shah at the latter’s residence in Delhi on Tuesday night sparked speculations that the AIADMK was exploring the possibility of a realignment with the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami denied discussing reviving his party’s alliance with the BJP in Tamil Nadu with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday, 26 March.
Palaniswami’s meeting with Shah at the latter’s residence in Delhi on Tuesday night sparked speculations that the AIADMK was exploring the possibility of a realignment with the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters at the Delhi airport, the AIADMK leader said he urged the central government to release funds for various schemes to Tamil Nadu without any delay during his meeting with Shah.
Specifically, the Opposition leader requested the immediate disbursement of pending funds for Tamil Nadu under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the education sector.
Palaniswamy also emphasised the need to expedite the “Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery” project and the Cauvery-Godavari river linking project, citing Tamil Nadu’s status as a water-scarce state. He urged the central government to approve Tamil Nadu’s water-related projects without delay.
Regarding the Mekedatu dam issue, he insisted that the central government should act in accordance with the Supreme Court’s verdict and under no circumstances grant approval to Karnataka for the project.
He further stressed the importance of continuing the two-language policy in Tamil Nadu and ensuring that the delimitation process does not negatively impact the state.
Palaniswami also pointed out alleged large-scale corruption in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the TASMAC (state-run retail liquor shops) system, and submitted a petition requesting the central government to conduct a thorough investigation.
When reporters asked him about the political discussions that took place during his meeting with the BJP leadership, he dismissed speculation about an alliance, stating that the media was reporting it merely for sensationalism.
He reiterated that his meeting with the Union home minister was solely regarding Tamil Nadu’s development projects.
With Tamil Nadu Assembly elections still a year away, he said that discussing alliances at this stage would not be appropriate. He clarified that an alliance and ideology are two different things and that AIADMK’s ideology remains steadfast.
As for alliances, he said that decisions would be made based on the prevailing political circumstances.
The AIADMK had severed its ties with the BJP in September 2023.
