Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah arrived in Chennai on Thursday night for a crucial meeting with party functionaries as part of the BJP’s preparations for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
According to a senior state BJP leader, Shah’s visit is intended to review the party’s functioning in Tamil Nadu and provide strategic direction for the Assembly polls.
“We are gearing up for the next Assembly election. Normally, we commence our preliminary work a year ahead of the poll and Shah’s visit will give us the needed stimulus,” the BJP leader maintained.
During his one-day visit, Shah is expected to assess the BJP’s performance, discuss alliance possibilities, and address internal organisational matters.
Vanathi Srinivasan, national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha and Coimbatore South legislator, said that Shah’s presence will help confront the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s narrative against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“During his one-day visit, he might counter the ruling DMK’s false propaganda against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP,” Srinivasan told reporters.
When asked whether Shah’s visit would signal any clarity on the BJP’s alliance strategy in Tamil Nadu, she said, “A decision on the alliance would be announced only by the party leadership.”
Amit Shah was welcomed at the airport by a delegation of state BJP leaders, including Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, the national co-incharge of Tamil Nadu.
“His presence energises the karyakartas and strengthens our resolve to work for the development of Tamil Nadu under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji,” Reddy remarked.
Coinciding with Shah’s visit, the state BJP unit has commenced the final leg of its internal organisational elections. Applications have been invited from party aspirants for the post of state party president. The outcome is expected to be declared on Saturday.
The move has fuelled speculation over whether the incumbent, K Annamalai, will retain his position. Until the results are formally announced, the suspense over his future in the state unit leadership continues.
The visit is being viewed as part of the BJP’s broader push to consolidate its base in southern states, with Shah expected to offer both political guidance and organisational encouragement to the party cadre.
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