Palaniswami hosts BJP delegation for breakfast as NDA takes final shape in T.N., ahead of PM’s visit

As the political climate in poll-bound Tamil Nadu heats up, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday (January 22, 2026) hosted BJP’s election in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and other BJP leaders, for breakfast at his official residence on Greenways Road in Chennai.

Mr. Goyal, accompanied by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran, former Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan, and other leaders, took part in the breakfast meeting. AIADMK leaders K.P. Munusamy, Dindigul C. Sreenivasan, and S.P. Velumani were also present.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Goyal said he had the honour of visiting and having breakfast with the leader of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Palaniswami. “I have with me the greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and newly elected BJP national president Nitin Nabin,” he said.

“I am confident that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Mr. Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu, the NDA will completely throw out the corrupt, incompetent, and anti-development DMK. The people of Tamil Nadu, including youth, women, labourers, and farmers, have realised that other than family rule and corruption, the DMK has done nothing for Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Goyal said.

“We oppose [Deputy Chief Minister] Udhayanidhi Stalin’s anti-national comments and hate speech. Action should be taken against him. He should be removed from the government,” the Union Minister said.

Mr. Palaniswami said the two sides discussed the NDA’s mega public meeting to be held in Madurantagam on Friday (January 23), in which the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate.

He said over five lakh people are expected to participate in the rally and that it will lay the foundation for a strong alliance. He also alleged that there was a total breakdown of law and order in Tamil Nadu and charged the DMK government with failing to deliver on all fronts.

The breakfast meeting between the two sides gains importance a day after the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by T.T.V. Dhinakaran, joined the NDA led by the AIADMK in the State, signalling a thaw in the relationship between Mr. Dhinakaran and Mr. Palaniswami.

Meanwhile, preparations are under way at Madurantagam in Chengalpattu district, where Mr. Modi will address the public meeting on Friday afternoon. BJP sources said arrangements were being made on 40 acres of land, with 150 acres earmarked for parking space. The police have made extensive security arrangements in view of the Prime Minister’s visit.

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