EPS’s alliance pitch rejected: Vijay, Seeman stand firm on going solo

Once again, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s (EPS) attempt to forge an alliance with the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor Vijay, and the ultra-Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) led by Seeman, to unseat the DMK, has hit a dead end. Both parties have reiterated their commitment to contesting the elections independently.

Unlike earlier, EPS made an open invitation during a media interview, expressing his desire that both parties, who also aim to oust the DMK, should team up with the principal opposition, AIADMK. While admitting that no formal talks had been held with TVK, EPS stressed the need for Vijay to join the alliance. However, both Vijay and Seeman are ideologically opposed to the BJP, making them reluctant to associate with the AIADMK, which has been aligned with the saffron party.

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“All like-minded parties that want to defeat the anti-people DMK should join hands with the AIADMK. Mr Vijay is also vowing to defeat the DMK. This applies to his party as well,” EPS said. Regarding Seeman, he reiterated that the AIADMK is open to accommodating anyone opposed to the DMK, adding that with eight more months until the 2026 Assembly election, the situation may evolve.

While EPS remains hopeful about a potential realignment, the TVK has made it clear that it is not willing to play second fiddle to any party, having already declared Vijay as its Chief Ministerial candidate. Until recently, the TVK had refrained from criticising the AIADMK, even while vehemently attacking the Stalin-led DMK government, sparking speculation of a future alliance. But that ambiguity appears to have ended.

“TVK is blamed for not criticising the AIADMK. Since we follow the path of MGR (AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran) and Jayalalithaa, and remain firmly opposed to the BJP, many AIADMK cadres have joined us. The DMK, steeped in corruption, has strayed from the ideals of Periyar (EV Ramasamy) and Anna (CN Annadurai), thus aiding the BJP’s growth,” said Aadhav Arjuna, one of TVK’s general secretaries, during a party rally in Salem on Monday, putting to rest talks of any alliance with the AIADMK. Other speakers, including general secretary Bussy N. Anand, hailed Vijay as the “People’s Choice for CM.”

The NTK, a state party recognised by the Election Commission with around 8% vote share, is also disinclined towards forming any alliance. Seeman firmly rejected the proposal, arguing that it would dilute the party’s ideological integrity.

“Many parties have lost their identity and vanished after joining alliances. NTK is not ready to join that list—we will contest the elections independently. Just as fire cannot be put out by fire, you can’t fight evil by allying with evil. Ours is the only front truly opposing the DMK,” Seeman told the media in Chennai, responding to EPS’s invitation. “We are the only front taking on the DMK,” he quipped.