TIRUCHIRAPALLI – Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, addressing a DMK rally here, declared that a "saffron crowd" seeks to "swallow Tamil Nadu," a move his party staunchly opposes. He framed the upcoming political landscape as a battle against this perceived encroachment, asserting that the 'NDA' would consistently be met with a 'No Entry' in the state.
Stalin explicitly accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to assert control over Tamil Nadu by utilizing the AIADMK as a "mask." He contended that the central government has historically neglected the state's demands and representation. This perceived disregard, he argued, makes any electoral support for the NDA inexplicable, especially when contrasted with recent investment figures.
Under the previous administration, Tamil Nadu attracted investments totaling ₹4,13,414 crore. In stark contrast, the state has secured ₹12,54,133 crore in investments over the last five years. Stalin presented this disparity as evidence of the NDA's alleged neglect of Tamil Nadu's interests.
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AIADMK's Alleged Subservience
The Chief Minister also launched a direct attack on AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, characterizing him as having become a "slave" to the BJP in his pursuit of the Chief Minister's position. Stalin stated that the people of Tamil Nadu recognize this dynamic and that the DMK would expose this "mask." He drew parallels with Bihar's political maneuvering, where he suggested the BJP has historically used other leaders to gain electoral advantage, only to sideline them later.
DMK's Tenure and Development Claims
Stalin highlighted the DMK's historical significance, noting the party's role in renaming the state as Tamil Nadu. He presented the Tiruchirappalli rally as a platform for consolidating efforts for the 2026 assembly elections. To underscore the government's performance, he cited figures comparing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the AIADMK tenure (471 from 2016-2021) versus the DMK's term (1,190).
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Furthermore, Stalin detailed several welfare schemes, including financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month to 1.31 crore women, a breakfast program benefiting approximately 19.34 lakh children, and monthly stipends for 6.95 lakh female students and 5.40 lakh male students under specific initiatives.
Broader Accusations and Policy Criticisms
Beyond regional politics, Stalin also critiqued national policies. He referred to the National Education Policy (NEP) as a "saffron policy," arguing it undermines social justice principles like reservation. He also raised concerns about delimitation exercises, alleging they are designed to benefit the BJP. On the issue of fishermen, he decried the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka during the "10-year Modi rule," stating that even significant financial incentives from the Centre would not make him accept such policies.