The demand was made alongside the BJP’s proposal that the saffron party and its own allies together contest 56 of the state’s 234 Assembly seats. The BJP’s demand for an assurance of at least three Cabinet positions if the AIADMK-led NDA were to capture power is one that is rarely voiced so explicitly in Tamil Nadu politics. The senior AIADMK leader quoted earlier said, “(EPS) told Shah that even announcing such a promise before the elections will have a negative impact. Annamalai travelled back to Delhi with Shah after the Tiruchi visit and played a central role in briefing senior AIADMK leader S P Velumani during meetings on January 6. “We are rushing these talks to ensure that all allies are on board before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu by the end of this month,” the leader said.

Source: Indian Express January 08, 2026 13:24 UTC