Tamil Nadu’s Political Landscape Tightens Ahead of 2026: Alliances, Manifestos & Protests Intensify

Overview

Tamil Nadu’s political arena is entering a phase of accelerated manoeuvring as parties prepare for the 2026 Assembly elections. Recent reporting highlights three major developments:

• Actor‑politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is advancing its manifesto work.
• AIADMK–BJP alliance negotiations are gaining momentum.
• The SGT (Secondary Grade Teachers) strike is crossing two weeks, with pay‑parity demands unresolved.

The following summary synthesises verified information from recent political reporting while maintaining ethical, neutral, and fact‑based standards.

1. TVK Steps Up 2026 Election Preparations

DT Next and other outlets note that Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is actively shaping its political roadmap for the 2026 Assembly elections. The party is reportedly drafting its first full manifesto, aiming to position itself as a credible alternative force in the state’s political spectrum.

Key contextual factors from recent reporting include:

• TVK’s rising appeal among young voters, which has drawn attention from established parties.
• BJP strategists are assessing TVK as a potential disruptor of anti‑DMK votes, even considering portraying it as aligned with the ruling DMK to prevent vote fragmentation.
• TVK’s recent statements signalling openness to alliances based on ideological alignment, including secularism‑focused parties.

2. AIADMK–BJP Alliance Talks Accelerate

Negotiations between the AIADMK and BJP have intensified as both parties seek to consolidate anti‑DMK votes ahead of 2026. Reports indicate:

• High‑level discussions involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) are underway to expand the NDA coalition in Tamil Nadu.
• BJP leadership is pushing for the return of expelled AIADMK leaders O. Panneerselvam (OPS) and T.T.V. Dhinakaran to strengthen caste‑based support, particularly among Thevar communities.
• AIADMK leadership remains hesitant about reinstating OPS and Dhinakaran due to internal power‑balance concerns.
• The BJP is also exploring alliances with emerging parties, including TVK, as part of a broader anti‑DMK strategy.

These developments reflect a strategic recalibration by the BJP, which has historically struggled to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu.

3. SGT Teachers’ Strike Reaches Day 15

The ongoing strike by Secondary Grade Teachers (SGT) in Tamil Nadu has entered its 15th day, with educators demanding pay parity and rectification of long‑standing salary discrepancies.
While the current search results did not provide detailed updates on the strike, the issue remains a significant public‑sector labour dispute affecting schools across the state.

4. Political Climate: Intensifying Competition & Coalition Building

Across the political spectrum, parties are accelerating groundwork:

• BJP leaders have been instructed to begin early candidate identification and strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of Pongal.
• AIADMK and BJP are planning joint rallies and statewide tours to energise cadres and present a united front.
• TVK’s emergence is reshaping alliance calculations, with both national and regional parties reassessing their strategies.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu is entering a decisive pre‑election phase marked by:

• New political entrants are shaping their identity and policy agenda.
• Established parties negotiating alliances to consolidate vote banks.
• Public‑sector unrest is adding pressure on the ruling government.

As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, the interplay between emerging forces like TVK, traditional powerhouses like AIADMK, and national actors like the BJP will significantly influence the state’s political trajectory.