Stalin Alleges NDA Could Rename Targets AIADMK-BJP Alliance

DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday alleged that if the NDA came to power in the state, it would not hesitate to even change Tamil Nadu’s name to Dakshina Pradesh.

Addressing a public meeting for the April 23 polls, Stalin urged the state to unite against the AIADMK-BJP alliance to prevent such a possibility. He accused the AIADMK of having "bloodstains of those killed in protests opposing the CAA." Referring to the party’s support for the law in the Rajya Sabha, Stalin said that when protests followed, "thousands were attacked," and around 70 people were killed, claiming that "their bloodstain is on the hands of the AIADMK." He also questioned the AIADMK’s shifting stance, asking, "Now, does he support or oppose it?"

The DMK chief further alleged that Opposition leader Palaniswami had backed the three farm laws, thereby "insulting" protesting farmers and referring to them as "brokers". Stalin claimed Palaniswami had effectively become a "Sanghi" by aligning with the BJP.

He also mocked Palaniswami’s repeated visits to Delhi, alleging he waited hours to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while questioning the strength of the AIADMK alliance. Stalin said, "Palaniswami says AIADMK leads the alliance, yet smaller parties are contesting on the BJP symbol, not AIADMK's. Has Modi ever called Palaniswami a CM candidate? He only speaks of an NDA government, not even mentioning AIADMK by name."

Stalin further alleged that Palaniswami had "mortgaged his entire party" to the BJP to escape "corruption charges". He accused the BJP-led Centre of neglecting Tamil Nadu, citing delays in projects like the Hosur airport and withholding of education funds.

Criticising Prime Minister Modi, Stalin said: "PM makes a general claim that the DMK has not fulfilled its promises, yet I explain each achievement with data. Many beneficiaries of our schemes regularly share their experiences through the media. Even if the Prime Minister, who is always on tour-mode, had asked the people, they would have listed the Dravidian model schemes one by one. Either he lacks the time to learn about Tamil Nadu, or he has no interest in understanding it." He invited Modi to spend a week in the state to witness its progress.

Stalin highlighted Tamil Nadu’s high female workforce participation and contrasted it with alleged atrocities in BJP-ruled states. He said the NDA’s criticism of Tamil Nadu was aimed at undermining its development.

Appealing to voters, he said: "For Tamil Nadu's progress and development to continue, our Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government must come to power for the seventh time, and the Dravidian model must continue. If the BJP and its subservient alliance come to power, its evils will be beyond our imagination. Tamil Nadu must remain Tamil Nadu. It must not turn into a land of violence like Uttar Pradesh or Manipur."

Stalin reiterated his warning that "if they come to power, they will not hesitate to even change Tamil Nadu's name to Dakshin Pradesh", urging people to unite against the BJP-AIADMK alliance.

"We must defeat our enemies and the proxies of the BJP... before the BJP's dummy engine, our Dravidian model's super-fast engine will never bow its head," he said.

He also cited a recent incident in Madurai, alleging that Palaniswami had removed Periyar’s portrait from a meeting venue at the BJP’s behest. Stalin claimed a video insulting Periyar and Anna was played at the event without protest from AIADMK leaders.

"If MGR or Jayalalithaa were around, would they have tolerated such an insult to Anna? Palaniswami's only achievement is degrading AIADMK into a servile group. The term Dravidian itself was insulted at that gathering, and AIADMK leaders did nothing to stop it," Stalin said.

(with PTI inputs)