Sasikala Plans for 2026 Tamil Nadu Elections

V.K. Sasikala is meeting with her supporters to plan for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. She hopes the AIADMK party can come together again. She is also thinking about supporting independent candidates if needed.
By Newsroom | Politics, Tamil Nadu |

Key Figures in Tamil Nadu Politics Convene to Shape Future Direction

V.K. Sasikala, a significant figure in Tamil Nadu politics and former aide to the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, has initiated discussions with her supporters. These meetings focus on developing a strategy for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The timing of these consultations comes as Sasikala seeks to solidify her political standing following her expulsion from the AIADMK party and a period of reduced public activity.

The consultations suggest a proactive approach by Sasikala to define her role and influence in the upcoming electoral landscape. Her recent statements indicate a desire to mend divisions within the AIADMK and a belief that unity is essential for the party's success against the DMK.

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Political Landscape and Sasikala's Position

Sasikala's current political standing is complex. While she asserts her claim as the AIADMK's general secretary, she is officially outside the party's structure. The current AIADMK leadership, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has not indicated any plans to reincorporate Sasikala or other expelled figures like O. Panneerselvam and T.T.V. Dhinakaran.

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Her exclusion from recent political events, such as the Prime Minister's visit to Chennai, appears to have spurred her current strategic consultations. This exclusion may have prompted a reconsideration of her approach, potentially leading to the idea of supporting candidates as independents.

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Sasikala has also been vocal about the need for AIADMK factions to unite before the 2026 polls, framing it as crucial for the party's electoral viability and its ability to challenge the ruling DMK. This call for unity has found some echoes among senior AIADMK leaders, such as K.A. Sengottaiyan, who have publicly advocated for reconciliation.

Evidence of Sasikala's Strategic Engagements

Recent reports detail Sasikala's ongoing efforts to rally her support base and formulate a path forward:

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  • Consultations for 2026 Polls: Sasikala has begun meeting with her supporters to finalize strategies for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This indicates a focus on immediate political planning.

  • Calls for AIADMK Unity: On multiple occasions in September 2025, Sasikala publicly urged for the unification of various AIADMK factions. She emphasized that party workers desire a united front and that the party's electoral success depends on such a merger.

  • Re-entry into Politics: In June 2024, Sasikala declared her political comeback, stating, "Time is ripe, my re-entry has begun." She also expressed her intent to revive the AIADMK, which had faced electoral setbacks.

  • Potential Independent Candidacy Support: Following her non-invitation to a Prime Minister's event in January 2026, there were reports suggesting Sasikala might back her supporters to contest as independent candidates in select constituencies. This was reportedly a response to feeling overlooked by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

  • Critique of AIADMK's Current Stance: Sasikala has questioned the AIADMK's current political positioning, including boycotting certain by-elections, and suggested that caste-based politics had entered the party.

Divergent Paths: Unity Appeals vs. Independent Support

Sasikala's actions present a dual approach to her political future, characterized by appeals for unity and a contingency plan involving independent candidacies.

The Case for AIADMK Unity

Sasikala has consistently advocated for a unified AIADMK. Her rationale appears rooted in:

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  • Party Worker Sentiment: She states that party workers across Tamil Nadu "long to see a united front."

  • Electoral Prospects: Sasikala believes that a fractured AIADMK cannot defeat the DMK and that unification is paramount for electoral success. This was reiterated in September 2025.

  • Legacy: She invokes the legacies of M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa, suggesting a united AIADMK would better serve the "poor and ordinary people."

Exploring Independent Support

Simultaneously, Sasikala has explored options beyond direct re-entry into the existing AIADMK structure.

  • Response to Exclusion: The decision to consider backing independent candidates reportedly stemmed from her non-invitation to a significant political event in January 2026, highlighting a perceived snub from allied parties.

  • Demonstrating Strength: This strategy could serve as a means to assert her political influence and demonstrate her support base to potential allies, even without formal party affiliation.

  • Limited Options: Given the AIADMK leadership's refusal to accommodate her, supporting independents might be seen as a way to maintain relevance and exert pressure.

Expert Analysis on Sasikala's Political Maneuvers

Political observers note the intricate nature of Sasikala's current strategies.

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"Sasikala's efforts to bridge divides within the AIADMK, while also preparing alternative pathways like backing independents, highlight her persistent ambition and the complex internal dynamics of the party. Her effectiveness will depend on her ability to mobilize her core support and navigate the alliances formed by major political fronts."

Her public statements and consultations underscore a strategic attempt to regain a significant political foothold in Tamil Nadu, adapting to a political environment where her formal inclusion in established parties remains uncertain. The upcoming 2026 elections are a focal point for these efforts.

Conclusion and Implications

V.K. Sasikala is actively engaging her supporters to define her political trajectory leading up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Her current efforts encompass a strong push for the unification of the AIADMK factions, a move she believes is essential for the party's electoral viability. Simultaneously, following perceived political slights, she appears to be exploring the possibility of supporting independent candidates, suggesting a fallback strategy to maintain her political relevance.

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The AIADMK's current leadership, under Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has maintained its stance against accommodating Sasikala, complicating her path to a direct return. However, senior AIADMK figures have shown openness to discussions about reconciliation, indicating internal pressures for unity.

Sasikala's strategic maneuvers are aimed at leveraging her influence and support base. The success of her strategy will be contingent upon her ability to galvanize her followers and her capacity to influence the broader political alliances in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the context of the 2026 elections.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is V.K. Sasikala planning for?
She is planning for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. She wants to decide on a strategy for her political future.
Q: What does Sasikala want for the AIADMK party?
She wants all the different groups within the AIADMK party to unite. She believes this is important for the party to do well.
Q: What is Sasikala considering if unity doesn't happen?
She is thinking about supporting her followers to run as independent candidates in some areas.
Q: Why is Sasikala planning now?
She is planning now because the next elections are in 2026 and she wants to be ready. She also feels she has been left out of some political events.