In a major blow to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (In a major blow to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has quit the alliance, citing “betrayal” within its ranks.
TTV Dhinakaran (photo:ANI)
In a major blow to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (In a major blow to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has quit the alliance, citing “betrayal” within its ranks.
Announcing the decision late Wednesday night in Cuddalore, while attending the marriage function of a party functionary’s family at Kattumannarkovil,Dhinakaran blamed the NDA, particularly BJP and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), for sidelining AMMK and failing to unite pro-Amma factions.
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Dhinakaran, nephew of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s confidante V.K. Sasikala, made it clear that all hopes of bringing together the AIADMK factions have “vanished into thin air,” forcing the AMMK to exit the NDA.
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Following the exit of rebel AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam (OPS), the AMMK becomes the second key party to abandon the NDA in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Dhinakaran warned that AMMK cadre would no longer act as “palanquin bearers” for EPS, the declared NDA Chief Ministerial candidate.
“Betrayal is dancing with abandon in the NDA. So far, I have remained patiently to ensure that the supporters and cadre of Amma (Jayalalithaa) could come under a broad alliance. But it turned out to be futile,” he reasoned adding, “the cadre could not bear the betrayal any longer.
After former Deputy Chief Minister and rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS), the AMMK, which holds significant influence in the southern districts, has become the second party to exit the NDA in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, slated to be held in eight months. Disgruntled by persistent neglect and being sidelined by both the BJP’s national leadership and its state unit, Dhinakaran waited in vain to be accommodated. His frustration was directed at both the BJP and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
The AMMK was launched by Dhinakaran in 2018, following his expulsion from the AIADMK, at a conference held in Madurai. The party played a crucial role in boosting NDA’s vote share in southern districts during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, especially in the southern districts by pushing the AIADMK to the third place.
Only a couple of days ago, Dhinakaran had said that he would announce the party’s decision on alliance in December, which was seen as a warning to the BJP that his patience was running out. After the re-entry of the AIADMK led by former Chief Minister EPS and the BJP declaring him as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, OPS, a longtime supporter of the BJP, and Dhinakaran,who were with the NDA, had hoped of being rehabilitated in the AIADMK. For this, they had pinned their hopes on the saffron party’s national leadership.
“For the 2024 Lok Sabha poll, the AMMK joined the NDA unconditionally with the sole purpose of making Narendra Modi the PM for the third time. Now, this is assembly election which will decide the destiny of Tamil Nadu and the AMMK functionaries and cadre are opposed to being the palanquin bearers of one (EPS) against whom the party was launched,” he said.
Interestingly, Dhinakaran’s decision to leave the NDA comes on the same day Union Home Minister and BJP strategist Amit Shah met BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu and advised them not to precipitate matters or make any statements on either OPS or Dhinakaran, who are reportedly exploring options, potentially including a tie-up with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Analysts also observe that with EPS having shut the doors on OPS and Dhinakaran, their options have narrowed, making their continued presence in the NDA untenable, as a prolonged wait in politics can often prove counterproductive.) has quit the alliance, citing “betrayal” within its ranks.
Announcing the decision late Wednesday night in Cuddalore, while attending the marriage function of a party functionary’s family at Kattumannarkovil,Dhinakaran blamed the NDA, particularly BJP and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), for sidelining AMMK and failing to unite pro-Amma factions.
Dhinakaran, nephew of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s confidante V.K. Sasikala, made it clear that all hopes of bringing together the AIADMK factions have “vanished into thin air,” forcing the AMMK to exit the NDA.
Following the exit of rebel AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam (OPS), the AMMK becomes the second key party to abandon the NDA in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Dhinakaran warned that AMMK cadre would no longer act as “palanquin bearers” for EPS, the declared NDA Chief Ministerial candidate.
“Betrayal is dancing with abandon in the NDA. So far, I have remained patiently to ensure that the supporters and cadre of Amma (Jayalalithaa) could come under a broad alliance. But it turned out to be futile,” he reasoned adding, “the cadre could not bear the betrayal any longer.
After former Deputy Chief Minister and rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS), the AMMK, which holds significant influence in the southern districts, has become the second party to exit the NDA in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, slated to be held in eight months. Disgruntled by persistent neglect and being sidelined by both the BJP’s national leadership and its state unit, Dhinakaran waited in vain to be accommodated. His frustration was directed at both the BJP and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
The AMMK was launched by Dhinakaran in 2018, following his expulsion from the AIADMK, at a conference held in Madurai. The party played a crucial role in boosting NDA’s vote share in southern districts during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, especially in the southern districts by pushing the AIADMK to the third place.
Only a couple of days ago, Dhinakaran had said that he would announce the party’s decision on alliance in December, which was seen as a warning to the BJP that his patience was running out. After the re-entry of the AIADMK led by former Chief Minister EPS and the BJP declaring him as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, OPS, a longtime supporter of the BJP, and Dhinakaran,who were with the NDA, had hoped of being rehabilitated in the AIADMK. For this, they had pinned their hopes on the saffron party’s national leadership.
“For the 2024 Lok Sabha poll, the AMMK joined the NDA unconditionally with the sole purpose of making Narendra Modi the PM for the third time. Now, this is assembly election which will decide the destiny of Tamil Nadu and the AMMK functionaries and cadre are opposed to being the palanquin bearers of one (EPS) against whom the party was launched,” he said.
Interestingly, Dhinakaran’s decision to leave the NDA comes on the same day Union Home Minister and BJP strategist Amit Shah met BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu and advised them not to precipitate matters or make any statements on either OPS or Dhinakaran, who are reportedly exploring options, potentially including a tie-up with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Analysts also observe that with EPS having shut the doors on OPS and Dhinakaran, their options have narrowed, making their continued presence in the NDA untenable, as a prolonged wait in politics can often prove counterproductive.
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