TIRUCHY/KARUR: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday said the Dravidian model “super-fast engine will not bow down before the BJP’s dabba engine” even as he alleged that if BJP and its allies assumed power in the state, they will not hesitate to even change Tamil Nadu’s name into “Dakshina Pradesh”.
Addressing a public meeting at Thennur Uzhavar Sandhai grounds in Tiruchy, Stalin asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stay in Tamil Nadu for a week to understand its development model and governance outcomes. “Let the PM come to TN and stay here for a week to see how the state is progressing in all sectors,” Stalin said.
Campaigning for DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidates, including K N Nehru (Tiruchy West), Inigo Irudhayaraj (Tiruchy East), and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi (Tiruverumbur), the CM expressed confidence that the alliance would repeat its 2021 clean sweep of nine Assembly segments in the district.
Stating that TN’s identity must be protected, Stalin said, “Tamil Nadu should remain Tamil Nadu and not become a jungle of violence like Uttar Pradesh or Manipur. If they come to power, they will not hesitate to even rename TN as ‘Dakshina Pradesh’.” Alleging that the BJP-ruled states such as UP and Manipur fare poorly on women’s safety, he said, “Crimes against women are higher there, but TN remains a safe and progressive state.”
The DMK president also accused AIADMK, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, of wearing a mask of the BJP. “They have mortgaged the interests of Tamil Nadu to the BJP to save themselves from central agencies (corruption charges),” Stalin alleged, questioning why BJP has not projected Palaniswami as the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming polls.
AIADMK supported CAA in the Rajya Sabha, enabling its passage, along with PMK and when protests erupted against that amendment, “thousands were attacked,” and around 70 people were killed, the CM alleged and claimed that “their bloodstain is on the hands of AIADMK.”
Yet during the 2024 LS election, when AIADMK faced polls all alone, the AIADMK chief reversed his stance and criticised CAA as a historical mistake. “Now, does he support or oppose it?” the DMK chief asked.
Referring to a recent controversy in Madurai, the CM said, “At a BJP rally, a cut-out of Periyar E V Ramasamy was removed at their behest. This shows the subservience of AIADMK.”
He also criticised the party’s support for the Citizenship Amendment Act and the three contentious central farm laws (now repealed), alleging these decisions were against minorities and farmers.
In his campaign for DMK candidates in four constituencies in Karur on Wednesday evening, Stalin said that DMK had aligned with BJP but not mortgaged the party. “DMK had indeed formed an alliance with BJP in the past, but did not mortgage the party to BJP like Palaniswami has done.
A minimum common programme was adopted, and indeed (DMK leader) M Karunanidhi kept control over A B Vajpayee’s government at the centre. But now, not just the AIADMK, but all the parties with the NDA are under the control of (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah,” Stalin said.
The statement came as a response to Palaniswami who showed photographs of former PM Vajpayee and former DMK president Karunanidhi during a rally in Sivaganga, recalling that both parties had joined hands in the 1999 parliamentary polls.
Stalin also accused Edappadi K Palaniswami of betraying and backstabbing (former AIADMK leaders) O Panneerselvam and V K Sasikala while terming the allegation of Palaniswami that “Stalin tried to split the AIADMK” false.
On V Senthil Balaji being shifted to Coimbatore South constituency, Stalin said, “It was because Balaji had already ensured victory in all four constituencies of Karur that he was given responsibility for the district. Coimbatore is his place after marriage, so he will not forget his birthplace, Karur. So, this time, both Karur and Coimbatore will be number one. In fact, all of TN will be ours.”