Tamil Nadu Polls 2026: TVK Rules Out Alliance With BJP-led NDA

Actor Vijay's political outfit, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has categorically ruled out any alliance with the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, dismissing reports of a possible electoral pact as mere speculation.

The clarification came after rumours circulated that the BJP was exploring a tie-up with the newly launched party ahead of the Assembly elections.

BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, when asked directly about the possibility of talks with TVK, avoided a clear answer. "You are worried about the alliance, and I am concerned about the people's issues, especially the failure of law and order in the state and lack of safety for women," PTI quoted him as saying.

TVK's Joint General Secretary, CTR Nirmal Kumar, was more forthright. He described the reports of negotiations as "rumours" and insisted that the party had no intention of joining hands with the NDA.

"There's no scope for an alliance with the NDA. We have already made it clear that the BJP is our ideological enemy," he told PTI. He further questioned whether the BJP would ever accept Vijay as a chief ministerial candidate if such speculation were true.

In a statement later, Nirmal Kumar urged party members not to be swayed by media chatter. "Various news stories are being spread daily through the media and social media concerning the TVK, based on speculation, aiming to divert everyone's attention from people's problems," he said, stressing that members should rely only on official announcements.

The denial comes against the backdrop of a virtual meeting held on March 13 with TVK's district secretaries. According to a report in The Indian Express, several leaders had expressed concern over the party's ability to contest independently, citing financial constraints. While the Election Commission caps official campaign expenditure at ₹40 lakh per candidate, insiders admitted that the real cost of running a competitive campaign could be as high as ₹5 crore.

At the meeting, many district leaders reportedly acknowledged difficulties in finding candidates capable of mobilising such funds. "In many constituencies, we simply don't have people who can spend that kind of money," one participant said. This prompted nearly three-fourths of the attendees to suggest exploring alliances, despite the party's earlier stance of contesting alone.

Adding to the intrigue, a leader from Pudukottai disclosed that a former AIADMK minister had made informal overtures regarding a possible alliance. Once this was shared, discussions broadened into what one participant described as "a Pandora's box of opinions,", the report said.