Dhinakaran sees scope for coalition government, cabinet berths for AMMK

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) exuded confidence that there was a possibility that the AIADMK would accommodate representatives of his party in its cabinet after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comes to power in the 2026 Assembly election.

“Political pundits say the current political situation in Tamil Nadu favoured a coalition government, and there is a chance that we will be accommodated in the AIADMK cabinet,” Mr. Dhinakaran told journalists in Madurai.

The idea of “sharing power” in the State government was only his “wish, and not a condition,” he said, adding that this desire for cabinet berths for AMMK functionaries was to compensate his followers, who had “given up plum posts in the erstwhile AIADMK government and party.”

However, the AMMK will not put any pressure on the AIADMK for cabinet berths. “It will be handled with care and in a friendly manner. We know the pros and cons of an alliance. The AIADMK also knows that our demands would be reasonable and for qualified persons only,” Mr. Dhinakaran said.

‘Delicate situation for OPS’

Responding to a question, the former MP said he had already extended an invitation to former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam to join the NDA. “It is for Mr. Panneerselvam to take a call. My wish is that he should join us to help form Jayalalithaa’s government in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Mr. Panneerselvam has a legal dispute against the AIADMK high command and hence, it is “a delicate situation for him to join the NDA,” which is led by the AIADMK.

He regretted that AIADMK functionaries, including former MLA R. Vaithilingam, had joined the DMK. However, on AMMK’s deputy general secretary S.V.S.P. Manickaraja joining the DMK, Mr. Dhinakaran said the local political situation forced him to leave AMMK.

“He was aiming to contest the Assembly election from Kovilpatti Assembly seat. Since he felt that it was not possible (with the AMMK joining the NDA), he switched over to the DMK,” Mr. Dhinakaran added.