Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the legacy of Perarignar Anna (C.N. Annadurai), asserting that the progressive “fire” lit by the late leader cannot be extinguished by anyone. He made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in Chennai, emphasising the enduring relevance of Dravidian values and Tamil identity in the state’s social and political life.Stalin highlighted several historical reforms initiated by Anna after he became Chief Minister in 1968, such as giving legal recognition to self-respect marriages, opposing the imposition of multilingual policies beyond Tamil and English, and renaming the state as Tamil Nadu instead of the “Madras Presidency”. He said these actions ensured the preservation of Tamil culture and dignity, and that any future attempts to undermine them would fail.
Referring to present-day politics, Udhayanidhi said the current DMK government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, continues to uphold Anna’s vision and protect Tamil interests. “As long as the fear remains in the minds of those who want to alter our historical achievements, this Tamil Nadu will be governed under Anna’s ideals,” he declared.
The remarks come amid ongoing debates over language policies and regional identity issues in Tamil Nadu, topics that continue to shape the state’s political discourse. Udhayanidhi’s comments are likely aimed at reinforcing the party’s ideological stance ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and appealing to voters who strongly identify with Dravidian legacy and Tamil pride.