Amit Shah's Madurai Visit Signals BJP’s Big Push For 2026 Tamil Nadu Polls, Sparks Buzz On NDA Expansion
Amit Shah's previous visit on April 11 was politically significant—it marked the formal revival of the BJP-AIADMK alliance, a move that altered the political narrative.
With eyes firmly set on the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the BJP has begun to intensify its groundwork in the state. Union Home Minister and senior party strategist Amit Shah is set to visit Madurai on Saturday, a move being closely watched for its potential implications on the NDA’s expansion and ongoing internal dynamics within allies like the PMK. Shah will participate in the BJP's Tamil Nadu core committee meeting and address office-bearers from the state, district, and mandal levels on Sunday.
The visit is being seen as part of a larger strategic push to bolster the BJP’s organisational base in the southern districts of the state.
BJP’s national co-in-charge for Tamil Nadu, P Sudhakar Reddy, confirmed that Shah will discuss the Modi government’s 11-year track record, and more importantly, outline a roadmap for the party's role in the state going forward, according to party sources, as quoted by IANS.
Amit Shah To Mend PMK Rift?
As speculation also swirls around the rift within the PMK, which has yet to clearly align post-elections, Shah’s visit may signal efforts to mend internal cracks and bring smaller allies into a broader, cohesive front. Speculations were rife that there was ongoing issues between PMK leaders Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss. However, on Friday, both the leaders met at Ramadoss' residence. Later, Ramadoss also met political strategist 'Auditor' Gurumurthy. It may be recalled that Amit Shah met Gurumuthy just hours before announcing an alliance with AIADMK.
Confirming the buzz, TN BJP chief Nainar Nagenthiran said that BJP will rope PMK into NDA fold ahead of TN Assembly Elections 2026, as per a report on The New Indian Express. However, he said that the officials talks did not start yet.
NDA Expansion Ahead?
Following this, Shah’s visit also comes amid heightened chatter about a reshaped NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu. His previous visit on April 11 was politically significant—it marked the formal revival of the BJP-AIADMK alliance, a move that altered the political narrative and triggered sharp responses from the ruling DMK camp.
Earlier, BJP state spokesperson ANS Prasad also said that the Union Minister's visit sent shock waves to DMK and its allies.
While state BJP leaders have downplayed the choice of Madurai as venue, insiders suggest it carries symbolic weight. Often dubbed Tamil Nadu’s cultural capital, Madurai has strong Hindu cultural ties with ideological resonance for the Sangh Parivar. The city is also set to host a ‘Lord Muruga Devotees Conference’ later this month, co-organised by the BJP-affiliated Hindu Munnani.
Senior BJP leader and spokesperson ANS Prasad stated, “"His April 11 trip to Tamil Nadu changed the political narrative in the state. The announcement of the AIADMK-BJP alliance shook the DMK and its allies. Tamil Nadu politics can now be seen in two phases before and after Amit Shah's April visit."
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