Chennai, Apr 3:
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday criticised Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, alleging that the DMK was engaging in “political theatrics” by projecting its alliance strength through the inclusion of the DMDK.
Campaigning in Krishnagiri, Palaniswami said the DMK was exaggerating its alliance credentials by highlighting the entry of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which he claimed had secured only around 0.5% vote share in the 2021 Assembly elections.
He accused Stalin of attempting to mislead the public by portraying the alliance as expanding, while in reality, it largely comprised the same parties as in the previous election, with only the addition of the DMDK.
Palaniswami further asserted that the AIADMK-led front remained a strong and cohesive alliance, contrasting it with what he described as the DMK’s “opportunistic coalition.”
He claimed that seat-sharing within the AIADMK alliance had been completed swiftly, and campaign activities were progressing at a rapid pace.
Taking a broader swipe, the AIADMK leader alleged that the DMK alliance lacked ideological consistency, pointing out differences among its partners across states. He also accused the ruling party of depending heavily on its allies without addressing governance issues.
The remarks come amid intensifying political exchanges between the DMK and AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with both sides targeting each other’s alliances and electoral strength.