In Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, on February 7, DMK President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of giving "nothing" to Tamil Nadu in the recently presented Union Budget. He urged the people of Tamil Nadu to reciprocate this by voting against the NDA in the upcoming April Assembly elections.
Addressing a meeting of the DMK youth wing office bearers in the southern region, Stalin stated that Tamil Nadu is the most successful state in the country, topping all rankings. However, despite being "number one," Tamil Nadu has not received anything from the Centre in the Union Budget.
He said, "We expected them to make some effort to win over voters in the upcoming elections. But they haven't even done that."
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are scheduled for April 2026.
Stalin further stated that Tamil Nadu's demands, including education funds, new railway projects, a 50% tax share for the state, and exemption from NEET, have not been met. He urged the people to vote for the DMK to achieve these goals.
He said, "Therefore, we must vote for the party that will deliver these things. Not only the BJP, but the entire NDA must receive only our support."
Stalin also criticized opposition leader and AIADMK chief, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, for his stance on the new rural jobs law and for claiming that workdays would be increased to 150 if the AIADMK were to win the elections. He used a colloquial phrase to express that Palaniswami is now more loyal than the king.
Palaniswami had already promised to increase working days to 150 and enhance wages if his party won.
Stalin also accused the NDA, led by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, of not being focused on the welfare of the people. He described it as a "game of musical chairs," with several leaders who had quit the alliance returning. "The 2026 Assembly elections are about Tamil Nadu versus the NDA. We must ensure that Tamil Nadu wins."
Stalin also stated that defeat for the BJP in Tamil Nadu is nothing new, and that it is a routine for them. He added that the DMK-led alliance will achieve a significant victory, while the AIADMK-BJP will face a defeat.
In a video message, Stalin welcomed the cadres to the conference and recalled the importance of following the party's ideology and the need for the DMK.
He said, "What are our basic principles? These are social justice, self-respect, state autonomy, love for our language (Tamil), and respect for our ethnic identity."
Stalin also criticized the supporters of actor-turned-politician Vijay for following him without understanding the party's ideology and principles.
He explained the commitment to protecting the Tamil language, saying, "Whenever our mother tongue, Tamil, has been threatened, we have fought fiercely to protect it. However, under the guise of the 3-language policy, the threat of imposing Hindi still hangs over us like a sword."
On social justice, Stalin asked if the grandparents of the current generation had the opportunity to get an education.
He said, "We were denied education and job opportunities, and this injustice was rectified through reservation and social justice. However, now, with exams like NEET, they are trying to recreate this old system of injustice. We, the DMK, are the only party that can stop this, and you are needed in this effort."
On state autonomy, Stalin stated that India is a union of states and the DMK has always advocated for respect for federalism. He recalled that decades ago, chief ministers could not even raise the national flag on Independence Day.
He said, "There were other issues as well. Through struggle, states have gained power. The DMK was the first to demonstrate that state-based parties can capture power at the Centre. Do not forget this. Not only for Tamil Nadu, but for all the states in India, we have secured rights. However, now, powers are being centralised. The BJP is desperate to transform states into municipalities. But Tamil Nadu is the only state they cannot touch. To protect Tamil Nadu, you are needed."
