"We wanted to bring back Amma's Govt": TTV Dhinakaran after AMMK joins NDA in Tamil Nadu

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 21 (ANI): The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Wednesday said his party is happy to rejoin the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu almost four months after he quit it, emphasising that their goal is to bring back the government of 'Amma', the former AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.
He said the party has put past differences aside to focus on the welfare of Tamil Nadu and the people.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Dhinakaran said, "We are happy to be back in the NDA alliance. Forgetting the past, we wanted to bring back Amma's government. To stop this government, we will form Amma's government. You all know who the NDA CM candidate is...for AMMK and Tamil Nadu's welfare, we have forgotten about all the betrayal."
Dhinakaran had left the NDA alliance in September 2025.
Earlier in the day, Dhinakaran met Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal in Chennai.
Goyal welcomed AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran back into the NDA, saying the alliance will work together to defeat the "anti-Bharat DMK" government in the state, which heads into Assembly elections this year.
"In the NDA, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, Anbumani Ramadoss and other colleagues are all committed to removing this corrupt and incompetent DMK government, which is attacking the people of TN and Tamil pride. We will all work together and defeat the anti-Bharat DMK alliance. NDA alliance will provide good leadership, good governance and social justice for sisters and fathers of Tamil Nadu and good opportunities for the youth of Tamil Nadu. We will ensure that the Tamil language and culture go all over the world," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a public meeting at Maduranthakam in Tamil Nadu's Chengalpattu district on January 23, as the BJP intensifies efforts ahead of the State assembly elections.
The NDA led by AIADMK and the BJP in Tamil Nadu along with other parties will look to defeat the ruling DMK-Congress alliance. The election will feature a triangular contest after actor-turned-politician Vijay has launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and is eyeing the top spot.
Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in the first half of 2026, and political activity in the state is intensifying as parties roll out their campaign strategies and manifestos. (ANI)