Edappadi fell at BJP's feet to protect family: DMK leader Elangovan on BJP-AIADMK alliance

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 11 (ANI): Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Friday termed the BJP-AIADMK alliance as "most expected" and alleged that Edappadi Palaniswami succumbed to BJP pressure to protect his family members.
Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said, "This was most expected. They were afraid of the BJP. When BJP put pressure on Edappadi's son and his relatives, Edappadi thought that he has to save them. So he fell at the feet of BJP."
The DMK leader said that the BJP and the AIADMK despite being in an alliance in 2021 had lost out to his party in elections.
"They were all together in 2021, but we won and captured power. Vijay is going to contest separately. If he contests separately, he is going to take a share of their votes because DMK votes will solidly come to DMK and opposition votes will split. That will do more good to us."

Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that AIADMK, BJP will contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance. The significant political development comes ahead of the TN Assembly election to be held in 2026,
"AIADMK and BJP leaders have decided that AIADMK, BJP and all the alliance parties will contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together as NDA," Shah said.
Shah was addressing a press conference with BJP's K Annamalai and AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami in Chennai.
Shah added, "These elections will be contested under the leadership of PM Modi on a national level and under the leadership of AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the state level..."
The BJP is eager to improve its prospects in Tamil Nadu following a determined effort in the last Lok Sabha elections, where it failed to win a seat in the southern state.
The Union Minister said that the BJP will have no interference in the internal matters of the AIADMK and added that this alliance is going to be beneficial to both NDA and AIADMK.
"AIADMK has no conditions and demands. We will have no interference in the internal matters of the AIADMK. This alliance is going to be beneficial to both NDA and AIADMK," Shah said.
Shah also expressed confidence in securing a victory in the upcoming assembly polls saying that NDA will again secure a landslide majority and form government in Tamil Nadu.
"I am confident that in the upcoming elections, NDA will again secure a landslide majority and NDA government will be formed in Tamil Nadu once again," he said.
In the previous two elections--the Lok Sabha and the last assembly polls--the AIADMK has struggled to perform strongly.
The AIADMK entered into an alliance with the BJP after the passing of J Jayalalithaa in 2016.
During the 2021 state elections, the AIADMK and the BJP were in alliance, which resulted in the BJP winning four seats. However, the AIADMK severed ties with the BJP in 2023. (ANI)