Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking at the Times Now Summit in New Delhi on March 27, Friday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid out the BJP's electoral strategy for Tamil Nadu while speaking at the Times Now Summit 2026 on Friday, signalling a strong reliance on 'bade bhai' AIADMK rather than a solo push in the southern state. Addressing a question from Times Network Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar on the BJP’s prospects in the run-up to the Tamil Nadu elections, Shah acknowledged that the party still has limited organisational strength in the state. “In Tamil Nadu, our work is less,” he said candidly, underlining the need for coalition politics in the region. The Home Minister reiterated that the BJP would continue to work closely with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), describing it as the party’s “bade bhai” (big brother) and principal ally. He added that the BJP is also engaging with smaller regional parties as part of the broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) strategy. At the same time, he expressed confidence about the alliance’s electoral prospects, saying that there was a growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. “I see a lot of anti-incumbency in the state against DMK. They have spread a politics of hate,” he said, asserting that the NDA would form a government with a “strong majority” in Tamil Nadu. On the question of a possible alliance with actor-turned-politician Vijay, whose party TVK has generated significant buzz, Amit Shah made it clear that no outreach has been made. “We have not tried,” he said, adding that such a move could potentially backfire. “If he comes with us, I feel the effect will be the opposite on our vote bank,” Shah said. The Election Commission of India on March 15 announced the schedule for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The polling will be held in a single phase across the state on April 23. The counting of votes will take place on May 4. The Times Now Summit 2026 is among India’s premier platforms for leadership, ideas, and action, bringing together top policymakers, global strategists, industry leaders, and changemakers to help shape the nation’s future. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Times Now @20 & Shaping India @100,” captures both a moment of reflection and a forward-looking vision as India moves toward 100 years of independence. Over the past two decades, Times Now has played a significant role in driving accountability and shaping national discourse. Building on that legacy, the summit focuses on actionable ideas to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat and a leading voice in the Global South. For the Latest news, India News and breaking stories from around the world, visit Times Now for live coverage and in-depth reporting. Ananya is a journalist with a strong grounding in breaking news and a deep-rooted passion for geopolitics. She has 6 years of experience in TV and Dig... View More