PMK joins NDA in Tamil Nadu; EPS in New Delhi to meet Amit Shah

New Delhi: In a major boost to the NDA camp in Tamil Nadu, Anbumani Ramadoss-led faction of PMK joined the BJP-led grouping on Wednesday, months ahead of the assembly elections in the state. The announcement was made jointly by AIADMK leader E Palaniswamy and the PMK chief in Chennai.

Palaniswamy claimed that the AIADMK-BJP-PMK alliance is a winning combination, with Ramadoss terming the deal a happy moment for the state's PMK supporters.

PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), associated with the Vanniyar caste group, has been offered 17 assembly seats out of 234 and a Rajya Sabha seat after the polls, according to people in the know. Sources told ET that the deal was done during Union home minister Amit Shah's recent visit to Chennai, with Shah leaving it up to EPS to take it forward.


Meanwhile, EPS is set to meet Shah in New Delhi. During the meeting, likely on Thursday, the modalities of the alliance will be finalised.

BJP is trying to rope in all AIADMK factions - O Panneerselvam-led grouping and TTV Dinakaran-led team - and others to avoid division of anti-DMK votes. Panneerselvam's faction is also in talks with TVK leader Vijay. Sources told ET that a clear position will emerge after Pongal.

In such circumstances, EPS-Shah meeting is crucial as it will define NDA's structure in Tamil Nadu. NDA has already announced EPS as the chief ministerial face.

In 2021 elections, AIADMK and BJP contested together and won 75 seats - 66 by AIADMK, 4 by BJP, while the remaining were bagged by allied parties.