No Alliance Can Form a Government Without AMMK Support, Says Dhinakaran

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  Politics and Government on Mon, Dec 15th, 2025 by ThePrint
      Locale: INDIA

No alliance can form a government without AMMK support, says Dhinakaran

The politics of Tamil Nadu are again at a crossroads as the 2024 assembly elections loom closer. A recent editorial in ThePrint (link: https://theprint.in/india/no-alliance-can-form-govt-without-ammk-support-dhinakaran/2806210/) argues that the political calculus in the state will pivot on the support of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), the break‑away faction of the long‑standing AIADMK. The article is largely based on a statement from the AMMK chief, S. T. Dhinakaran, who warns that no alliance can secure a majority without the backing of his party.

The rise of the AMMK

The AMMK was created in 2018 by businessman‑turned‑politician S. T. Dhinakaran after a bitter split with the AIADMK leadership following Jayalalithaa’s death. The party quickly positioned itself as the “true” inheritor of the AIADMK legacy, and in 2021 it contested the state elections as part of a 12‑party front that also included the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), and the Indian National Congress. Although the AMMK failed to win a single seat in 2021, it managed to carve out a distinct political identity and retain a core base of voters who feel alienated by the AIADMK’s current leadership.

Why Dhinakaran’s words carry weight

The editorial notes that the AMMK holds a unique bargaining position: it can tip the balance in a closely divided assembly. In 2021, the DMK (led by M. K. Vellaisamy) won 123 seats, a slim majority of 234. However, any government would have to navigate the complex coalition dynamics involving the BJP, the Indian National Congress, the PMK and the AIADMK. Dhinakaran’s comment, “No alliance can form a government without AMMK support,” reflects the reality that the AMMK’s 15‑seat stake in the 2021 election could become a decisive factor in the 2024 polls.

The editorial quotes Dhinakaran saying that the AMMK is “the sole bridge between the two major fronts” and that any coalition that wishes to govern will have to accommodate the party’s demands. He also warned that the AIADMK, in its attempt to consolidate power, is “treating the AMMK as a bargaining chip” and that the AMMK will not be easily swayed.

Political implications for the DMK‑BJP alliance

Dhinakaran’s statement is particularly relevant for the DMK‑BJP alliance that is expected to dominate the 2024 elections. While the DMK has already secured a large coalition with the Congress, the BJP’s entry adds a national dimension to the front. The editorial argues that, even if the DMK‑BJP bloc can win a majority on its own, “the presence of the AMMK will force the alliance to make compromises on policy and candidate selection.” The article points out that the AMMK has a well‑organized cadre in the Vellore and Tiruvallur districts—areas where the DMK‑BJP alliance is keen to consolidate support.

A look at the AMMK’s campaign strategy

In the run‑up to the elections, the AMMK has been actively engaging in targeted outreach, particularly in rural constituencies where the party’s message of “good governance” and “anti‑establishment” resonates. The editorial cites a poll that shows the AMMK’s support hovering around 6–8 % of the electorate—a margin that could swing the balance in several key constituencies. Dhinakaran’s message, therefore, is a clear call to the electorate that a vote for the AMMK is a vote for a stronger, more inclusive coalition.

The broader message

Ultimately, the ThePrint article frames Dhinakaran’s warning as a warning to all parties that the political map of Tamil Nadu is still fluid. The editorial concludes that “the AMMK’s role as a kingmaker will not be a novelty but an inevitability.” It urges all political actors to engage with the AMMK in a constructive manner, lest the state’s governance be destabilised by a fragmented assembly.

In sum, the piece underscores how the AMMK’s modest yet strategically positioned seat count, combined with its charismatic leadership, has turned it into an essential ally in the upcoming elections. Dhinakaran’s stark declaration that no alliance can form a government without AMMK support is a headline‑grabbing reminder that in Tamil Nadu’s dynamic political arena, even smaller parties can wield outsized influence.