NDA Sets Campaign Tone in Tamil Nadu as PM Modi Kicks Off Drive in Madurantakam
Prime Minister to address first major alliance rally as BJP led bloc showcases unity ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Chennai, Jan 23: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will officially roll out its Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to address a large public gathering in Madurantakam.
The rally represents the BJP led alliance’s first significant outreach in the State ahead of the 2026 polls and underlines its bid to mount a direct challenge to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
The campaign launch was announced by BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit president and legislative party leader Nainar Nagenthran, who said the event would set the tone for the alliance’s electoral strategy.
Scheduled along the Chennai–Tindivanam highway stretch, the meeting is expected to attract cadres and supporters from multiple districts across the State.
Alliance leaders expected to project unity
Prime Minister Modi’s address will formally kick off the NDA’s election drive, with senior leaders from alliance partners likely to share the stage. These include representatives from the AIADMK, BJP, Tamil Maanila Congress, Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.
Nagenthran said the Prime Minister’s visit would serve as a clear signal of the alliance’s readiness to contest the elections in a united manner.
Speculation continues over the final shape of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, particularly regarding the possible presence of figures such as TTV Dhinakaran, former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and the DMDK leadership. While declining to confirm names, Nagenthran suggested that the composition of the alliance would become evident during the rally.
“All leaders will be seen on the stage,” he said, indicating that the event would offer clarity on the coalition’s structure.
Addressing criticism over similarities between welfare promises made by the AIADMK and those announced by the DMK government, Nagenthran rejected allegations of imitation. He pointed out that the AIADMK had earlier proposed a monthly assistance scheme for women and later enhanced the proposed amount.
He asserted that the opposition’s initiatives reflected evolving public expectations and claimed that voter sentiment in the State was undergoing a significant shift.
