Anbumani Ramadoss joins AIADMK-BJP alliance ahead of T.N. Assembly election

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) faction, headed by Anbumani Ramadoss, returned to the AIADMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (January 7, 2026). 

After fighting alongside the Dravidian major in the Assembly election in 2021, the PMK joined hands with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. Since the revival of the AIADMK-BJP ties in April 2025, the PMK is the first party of considerable following to join the coalition.  

Before announcing the development, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his colleagues met Dr. Anbumani and his associates in Chennai. Though Mr. Palaniswami told journalists that the number of seats for the PMK had been finalised, he did not reveal the figure. He expressed the confidence that many more parties would soon join the alliance.  

Dr. Anbumani said that during his State-wide tour, he had witnessed up front, people’s anger at the present DMK regime. 

Mr. Palaniswami is expected to leave for New Delhi during the day, possibly to meet Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah and apprise him of the development. He is likely to return to Chennai on Thursday (January 8).