Archive · 1 Oct 2026
PMK, TVK, BJP Signals Shape Tamil Nadu Coalition Talks
The PMK and Vijay’s TVK party are discussing whether they should work together.
The talks may include giving two PMK leaders jobs in the Cabinet.
The PMK is currently linked to the AIADMK-BJP alliance, but it did not support either side in two by-elections.
TVK won many seats but not enough to govern with a majority by itself.
This makes support from other parties important to Vijay.
The PMK is valuable because it has strong support among Vanniyars in northern Tamil Nadu.
Bringing in the PMK could make the VCK and Communist parties uncomfortable.
The PMK has not made a final decision, and the BJP’s position may strongly influence what happens next.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Pattali Makkal Katchi are reportedly discussing a possible alliance and Cabinet positions.
The PMK has remained neutral in the October 6 Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections despite being part of the AIADMK-BJP alliance.
Talks reportedly involve Anbumani Ramadoss and TVK adviser John Arockiasamy, with two Cabinet posts under discussion.
TVK won 108 of Tamil Nadu’s 234 Assembly seats, leaving it 10 short of a majority and dependent on smaller parties’ support.
A formal PMK move toward TVK could create tensions with the VCK and Communist parties, while requiring the PMK to reassess its relationship with the BJP.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, led in these talks by Anbumani Ramadoss; the BJP and other alliance partners are also involved politically.
- What
- The TVK and PMK are reportedly negotiating a possible political arrangement, including Cabinet positions, while the PMK weighs its existing relationship with the BJP.
- When
- The discussions are taking place ahead of the October 6 Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections and after the 2026 Assembly election.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, particularly the constituencies of Madurantakam, Dharapuram and Dharmapuri.
- Why
- TVK is 10 seats short of an Assembly majority and wants additional support, while the PMK is assessing its political options and relationship with the BJP.
TVK-PMK Cooperation
PMK Staying With Existing Alliance
Whether PMK should join TVK
TVK-PMK Cooperation
TVK sources say the PMK could strengthen Vijay’s government, bring Vanniyar support and potentially receive two Cabinet positions.
PMK Staying With Existing Alliance
The PMK remains tied to the AIADMK-BJP front, and a formal shift could damage its longer-standing relationship with the BJP.
Effect on the wider coalition
TVK-PMK Cooperation
TVK leaders argue that the VCK may remain in government even if the PMK joins, because leaving could cost the party support that has moved toward Vijay.
PMK Staying With Existing Alliance
The VCK could be uncomfortable sharing an alliance with the PMK because their constituencies have been involved in sensitive caste conflicts.
Role of election results
TVK-PMK Cooperation
A strong TVK performance in the by-elections would give Vijay greater negotiating power and make a PMK arrangement easier to pursue.
PMK Staying With Existing Alliance
A weaker TVK performance would increase the bargaining power of outside legislators and make the PMK less likely to accept terms without stronger guarantees.
- TVK Assembly result
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 of Tamil Nadu’s 234 Assembly seats.
- Majority mark
- A party needs 118 seats for a majority in the 234-member Assembly.
- PMK allocation
- The PMK was allotted 18 constituencies in the AIADMK-BJP alliance.
- By-election stance
- The PMK chose not to support any party in the October 6 Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections.
- Reported Cabinet proposal
- Sources said two Cabinet positions were discussed for the PMK, potentially for Sowmiya Anbumani and A Ganesh Kumar.
- Sowmiya Anbumani’s result
- She won Dharmapuri with 93,713 votes, defeating the TVK candidate by 20,896 votes.
- Formal status
- No formal announcement of a PMK-TVK agreement had been made.