Tiruchirappalli, April 1: DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday launched a strong attack on the NDA and AIADMK ahead of the April 23 Assembly polls, alleging that if the NDA comes to power in the state, it will not hesitate to rename Tamil Nadu as “Dakshina Pradesh.” Stalin urged the people of Tamil Nadu to unite against the AIADMK-BJP alliance, claiming it threatens the state’s identity and the Dravidian model of governance.
Speaking at a public meeting, Stalin criticized AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his past support of the CAA in the Rajya Sabha and the three farm laws, arguing that these decisions caused widespread violence and affected farmers. He accused Palaniswami of transforming into a “Sanghi” by allying with the BJP and mortgaging his party to protect himself from corruption charges. Stalin said the AIADMK relies heavily on the BJP, with smaller allies contesting on BJP symbols and no recognition of Palaniswami as the NDA’s CM candidate, highlighting that the elections are being treated as “Tamil Nadu vs Delhi.”
Stalin also alleged that the BJP-led central government has denied funds and approvals for projects in Tamil Nadu, including Hosur airport and education schemes. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting the state without sanctioning new projects and highlighted Tamil Nadu’s achievements under the DMK, including the highest female workforce participation among Indian states and low reported atrocities compared to BJP-ruled states. Stalin emphasized that PM Modi’s criticism of Tamil Nadu is politically motivated to hinder the state’s development.
The DMK chief invoked the legacy of Dravidian leaders, asserting that Palaniswami’s alliance with the BJP undermines Dravidian ideals. He highlighted incidents in Madurai where Periyar and Anna’s images were disrespected, accusing AIADMK leaders of remaining silent while degrading the party’s identity. Stalin warned that the BJP-AIADMK alliance’s rule could turn Tamil Nadu into a state of violence similar to Uttar Pradesh or Manipur and urged citizens to preserve the Dravidian model.
He appealed for unity across Tamil Nadu to defeat the NDA and its proxies, stressing that the DMK’s “super-fast engine” of governance would never bow to outside forces. Stalin concluded that only the DMK can ensure the state’s progress, identity, and Dravidian values, urging voters to reject the BJP-AIADMK combine in the upcoming elections. (PTI)
