Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a scathing attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, suggesting that the upcoming Assembly election in the state will be a fight between Tamil identity and the “Delhi team”, a term he used to refer to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
The DMK chief stressed that the 2026 Assembly polls will be a crucial point in the battle against “Hindi imposition”. Addressing a DMK rally in Madurai, Stalin also took shot at the BJP’s main ally in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK, and urged DMK cadre to ensure that all candidates of the two parties lose their deposits in the upcoming polls.
“Tamil Nadu should be No. 1 on all fronts… You should all ask people if they will choose Tamil Nadu or Delhi in the upcoming election,” he said.
He further accused the BJP government at the Centre of “taking away” what his government provided to the people of Tamil Nadu.
“Women beneficiaries of ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ immediately withdrew Rs 5,000 deposited into their bank accounts as they were afraid that the Centre might take away the funds,” Stalin said, referring to the state government crediting Rs 5,000 directly into the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women beneficiaries earlier this month.
The sum included Rs 3,000, which was three-monthly instalments, and a special summer grant of Rs 2,000. CM Stalin had alleged that an attempt was being made to freeze the scheme under the pretext of the forthcoming Assembly election.
“This shows the trust people have in us and the BJP. It is the DMK government that gives and the BJP government that snatches from the people. You should tell this to the people,” Stalin said, according to news agency PTI.
He also asserted that social welfare schemes, like the monthly grant for women, would only continue in Tamil Nadu if his party is voted back to power.
Stalin also called upon his party workers to undertake a door-to-door campaign highlighting the DMK government’s achievements. “There’s no rest for me and you for the next two months, as the elections will be announced anytime,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
