Tiruchy, Apr 1:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin accused the AIADMK of being under the sway of the BJP, claiming that if the people of Tamil Nadu allow the AIADMK to form the next government, party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) would pledge the state to the saffron party.
Speaking at a public rally for the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) candidates across nine assembly segments in Tiruchy, Stalin urged voters to deliver a 100 percent victory for the SPA to protect the Dravidian Model of governance.
Stalin highlighted the achievements of the DMK government since the 2021 assembly elections, stating that the administration had largely fulfilled its electoral promises. He contrasted Tamil Nadu’s relative communal harmony with BJP-ruled states, warning that the saffron party seeks to instigate religious violence in the state.
‘The BJP plans to incite clashes in the name of religion, and they use Edappadi K. Palaniswami as their instrument. The BJP alone would get fewer votes than NOTA in Tamil Nadu, which is why they are allied with the AIADMK,’ Stalin said.
The DMK leader also cited incidents that, according to him, reflect AIADMK’s subservience to the BJP, including the removal of Dravidian movement icon Periyar’s portrait during an NDA meeting in Madurai.
Stalin questioned whether party founders like M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa would have allowed such acts, asserting that EPS’s compliance shows he is “just a slave to the BJP.”
He further noted that although EPS claims leadership of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, alliance talks were conducted directly with the BJP in Delhi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly referred to the potential government as an NDA administration without even mentioning EPS as the Chief Minister candidate.
Stalin concluded his speech with a warning to voters: “If the people give a chance to the AIADMK to form the government, EPS would pledge Tamil Nadu to the BJP,” urging citizens to preserve the state’s autonomy and secular ethos by supporting the DMK-led alliance.
This statement adds to the ongoing narrative of polarization and alliance politics in the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, as major parties position themselves on issues of identity, governance, and state-versus-central influence.
Earlier, Stalin walking through the busy Gandhi Market area in Tiruchy, directly interacting with the public and traders.
During the walk, Stalin moved through crowded streets, greeting shopkeepers, vendors, and local residents.
The market, known for its heavy footfall and commercial activity, turned into a lively political spot as people gathered around to see him and express their views.
The Chief Minister also reportedly stopped at local stalls, engaging in casual conversations and even having tea, highlighting a more personal and approachable style of campaigning. Such walkabouts are aimed at strengthening voter connection and understanding ground-level concerns.