On Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who also leads the DMK party, issued a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stalin dared Modi to visit Tamil Nadu and repeat the “divisive remarks” he had made about the state during his recent election campaign in Bihar. The Chief Minister referenced Modi’s claim that “hardworking Biharis were being attacked in Tamil Nadu” (alleging harassment by DMK members against migrant workers). Stalin vehemently refuted these accusations, asserting that Tamil Nadu is a state founded on principles of fraternity and brotherhood, welcoming and nurturing all who come. He criticized Modi for forgetting his role as Prime Minister for all citizens and for “spreading falsehoods” in Bihar, reiterating his challenge for Modi to deliver the same speech on Tamil Nadu soil.
Stalin attributed Modi’s comments to the BJP’s “desperation to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu,” which he believes manifested as “hate” in the Prime Minister’s speech. He expressed confidence that “DMK 2.0” would return to power in 2026, echoing VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalan’s sentiments. The DMK chief framed the 2021 Assembly elections as a mission to “rescue Tamil Nadu from the slavery of AIADMK,” and positioned the upcoming 2026 elections as crucial to “rescue the State from the sinister alliance of AIADMK-BJP.”
Stalin Accuses Edappadi Palaniswami of ‘Double-Faced’ Stance on SIR
Stalin additionally alleged that AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s “fear of the BJP” prevented him from openly opposing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Chief Minister specifically criticized Palaniswami for not attending a multi-party meeting he convened on Sunday to discuss the SIR process.
Speaking at the wedding of DMK MP A. Mani’s son in Dharmapuri, the DMK president labelled the AIADMK leader’s position on SIR as “double-faced.”
Stalin highlighted that while the “opposition” party (AIADMK) boycotted the multi-party meeting, Palaniswami had separately registered his objections to the ECI, a move for which Stalin offered sarcastic thanks. He then pointed out Palaniswami’s subsequent directive to his cadres to be present during the SIR process. Stalin questioned this inconsistency, stating, “What does it show? That he is suspicious of the Election Commission,” implying a contradictory stance.
According to Stalin, the AIADMK general secretary’s profound fear of the BJP rendered him incapable of directly opposing SIR. He contrasted this with his own actions, noting that he, along with RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, had opposed the SIR from its inception when it was implemented in Bihar.
Thirumavalavan: AIADMK Allying with Right-Wing Forces
Thol. Thirumavalan, also present at the wedding, characterized the upcoming elections as both historic and an “existential fight” for Tamil Nadu, its land, and its people.
The VCK leader urged his party members to collaborate closely with DMK field workers to guarantee M.K. Stalin’s re-election as Chief Minister.
Thirumavalan accused the AIADMK, a party he noted originated from Periyar’s (E.V. Ramasamy) ideals, of aligning with right-wing forces that have “maligned Periyar” and seek to “annihilate Periyar’s politics” from Tamil Nadu. He asserted that this alliance constitutes a betrayal not only of Periyar’s legacy but also of AIADMK’s own iconic leaders, MGR and Jayalalithaa.
He emphasized the necessity of liberating the state from “backward forces” to support a government founded on the “Anna model, Periyar model, Dravidian model, and Kalaignar model.” Thirumavalan concluded by stating, “That is the reason for our continued sharing of the field with the DMK.”