Thaw In EPS–TTV Ties? AIADMK Drops Legal Battle Over Flag Symbol Post NDA Reunion

The case, originally filed in 2017, accused Dhinakaran of misusing AIADMK’s iconic black-and-white party flag and featuring the image of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in AMMK’s party symbol.

Dhinakaran is the nephew of VK Sasikala, the once-powerful aide of Jayalalithaa, who too faced expulsion during the party's leadership reshuffle.

Source : Facebook

In a noteworthy shift that hints at mending fences within Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has withdrawn a long-pending legal case against AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran. The move comes shortly after the AIADMK formally returned to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold, signaling potential efforts toward broader unity ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The case, originally filed in 2017, accused Dhinakaran of misusing the AIADMK’s iconic black-and-white party flag and featuring the image of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the AMMK’s party symbol. On Wednesday, a civil court in Chennai closed the matter after EPS formally retracted the petition, reported The Hindu.

EPS-OPS-TTV: The Equation 

This gesture is being viewed as a softening of hostilities between the two factions, especially in the context of recent political developments. Dhinakaran, along with ousted AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS), had already aligned with the NDA prior to the AIADMK’s return to the coalition. Both were previously expelled from the party during a power struggle following Jayalalithaa’s demise.

Dhinakaran is the nephew of VK Sasikala, the once-powerful aide of Jayalalithaa, who too faced expulsion during the party's leadership reshuffle. Though the AIADMK has yet to formally reconcile with Sasikala, this latest development involving Dhinakaran is being seen as a step toward political pragmatism, as per a report on The Deccan Herald.

When asked whether the BJP would seek a unified AIADMK for the upcoming polls or mediate between the factions, Union Home Minister and BJP strategist Amit Shah maintained that the party would steer clear of the AIADMK’s internal affairs.

While there’s no official word yet on whether further reconciliation with Dhinakaran or OPS is on the cards, EPS's withdrawal of the case is likely to stir conversation around possible realignments as the countdown to the next state election begins.