Union minister and BJP‘s Tamil Nadu in-charge Piyush Goyal reiterates that it will be an AIADMK-led NDA government in the state if the alliance wins. “What the nature of the government will be, will be decided after the election,” says Goyal in an interview. Excerpts:Edappadi K Palaniswami says it will be an AIADMK govt, while BJP leaders insist it will be an NDA govt. I have consistently said we are fighting this election as an AIADMK-led NDA alliance. The nature of government will be decided after the election. For BJP, elections are not a means to power. Our slogan is nation first, party next, self last. Why weren’t you more persistent on power sharing? I’m a practical man. I know where to fight and how much to demand. In free trade talks, you don’t take impractical positions such as blocking date imports from UAE when India needs them. With EU, I fought for textiles from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Karur and secured market access. Similarly, development must be collaborative, not confrontational. Is there still a possibility of an agreement later? Before the child is born, you don’t decide what he or she is going to become. Let us wait for the appropriate time. Did BJP reach out to Vijay for an alliance? I have never met or spoken to him, and I see no value in such an alliance. My leadership feels the same way. Did AIADMK reach out to him? Why would Edappadi Palaniswami reach out to someone who claims he is going to be CM? He will never make the mistake of giving chief ministership to someone, whom we think may not win more than two or three seats. Palaniswami is a seasoned politician and will not risk leadership for someone unlikely to win more than a few seats. How do you see CM MK Stalin framing the 2026 election as Tamil Nadu versus Delhi? I’m surprised why it should be ‘versus’. It should be Center and state working together to take development to the people of Tamil Nadu. Most central schemes are implemented through the state. When we sanction 9 lakh homes, why are 3 lakh still not allotted? Is it because they came from the Centre? If farmers are fully registered, more could benefit from the PM Kisan scheme. We give free foodgrain to 80 crore people every month, it doubled during Covid. Is it reaching people here? If the state takes a confrontational approach, people suffer. Stalin says Tamil Nadu was denied ₹2,100cr under Samagra Shiksha Scheme for not accepting the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP). NEP promotes native languages. We want every Tamil family to learn Tamil. A false narrative is being spread that Hindi will be imposed. I have challenged Stalin repeatedly. Show me where it says Hindi is compulsory. On the contrary, Tamil is not being taught in schools run by his family. He should answer whether he stands against Tamil and clarify his position, including his son’s statements on Tamil culture and pride. But isn’t the precondition imposing Hindi indirectly? Every central scheme has conditions. Under PM MITRA, Tamil Nadu got the first park because it completed requirements and provided land. If procedures are followed, benefits will flow to people. By opposing the Centre, the state has hurt the interests of people of Tamil Nadu. How has coordination been on the ground between AIADMK and BJP? Super. But a couple of days ago, AMMK raised concerns about coordination in Krishnagiri.In every family, sometimes things happen between brothers. But we are not like DMK and Congress, quarrelling on the streets before coming together in an alliance. What was the rationale behind 27 seats allocated to BJP? We looked at 2021 results, ground strength and who is the most winnable candidate or party in the alliance to maximize seats.What are NDA’s victory prospects? We are 100% sure of winning. People of Tamil Nadu have made up their mind. There is anger over corruption across sectors — land, sand, liquor, jobs, postings and contracts. The drug menace is rising, and governance is affected. People are frustrated with one-family rule and are seeking change. Isn’t it difficult to win in seats seen as DMK strongholds? We are fighting strongly everywhere. You don’t get 100% results anywhere, though we have in some states. Given the situation and the message reaching the grassroots, you could see a strong result. We also accommodated sitting MLAs (of AIADMK, PMK) and respected each party’s strength in the alliance, working it out smoothly as a family. BJP cadres have protested over seats such as T Nagar and Palani.We are protesting. That’s a good sign. It shows cadres are confident they can contest and win, and that the party is growing in the state. Was there pressure on allies to contest on the lotus symbol? The beauty of this alliance is there was no pressure. We settled everything in one meeting. Some allies chose the lotus symbol themselves, others chose their own. It was entirely democratic. Has not giving Annamalai a ticket upset a section of BJP cadres? Absolutely not. We are all here to serve. Positions come and go. Annamalai is a senior leader campaigning across the state; we are in touch. The party decides roles. Was replacing him as state president a prerequisite from EPS during alliance talks? I don’t know who said it, but it is baseless. Every post in BJP has a fixed term. Tenures end and new people come in. It is a continuous process of change. How do you see Vijay’s impact in this election? Vijay is certainly not disturbing NDA alliance seats. Film stars have come and gone. MGR worked for 30 years before becoming chief minister, and Jayalalithaa for over two decades. We have seen many at their peak come and go. I don’t see any major impact in this election. The statements (from Vijay) I have heard so far do not inspire confidence, and the people of Tamil Nadu, who understand what is good for them, will vote wisely and elect Edappadi Palaniswami as chief minister.TVK alleged union minister L Murugan Was behind the ‘Jana Nayagan’ leak.They should make up their mind. Earlier they said he stopped the film; now they blame him for the leak. It shows confusion. Other than the producer and those behind the film, nobody else can leak it. Certification is tightly handled. Producers should file an FIR and pursue a forensic probe.