AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi focused on the political situation in Tamil Nadu and not on alliance-related discussions. The clarification came soon after Palaniswami announced that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) would join the NDA for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Speaking at Tamil Nadu House in Delhi, Palaniswami said he could not meet Shah earlier during the Home Minister’s visit to Pudukottai due to prior commitments. He added that Shah had made it clear he would not interfere in the AIADMK’s internal matters.

Palaniswami said some parties were in talks with the AIADMK and that details would be revealed only after formal agreements were reached, maintaining that confidentiality would be observed until then.

Reiterating his position on party affairs, the AIADMK leader ruled out the return of VK Sasikala and dismissed any possibility of O Panneerselvam rejoining the party. He asserted that the AIADMK remained strong, noting that its alliance had won 72 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Responding to Chief Minister MK Stalin’s remarks on “outsiders” governing Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said the AIADMK was leading its alliance. He also pointed to the DMK’s past alliances, including with the Congress and the BJP, saying political tie-ups change with circumstances and that people were larger than any party or leader.

Palaniswami further alleged a deterioration in law and order in Tamil Nadu and claimed the state’s debt had risen to ₹5.5 lakh crore. He said documents related to an alleged scam had been submitted to the Governor and that the Enforcement Directorate had flagged the issue, leading to the registration of an FIR following court intervention.