Chief Minister M.K. Stalin speaks at India Today Group’s Tamil Nadu Round Table event in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) said that sharing of power in the government would not work for Tamil Nadu, while responding to a query during an interview at the India Today Group’s Tamil Nadu Round Table event in Chennai.
In response to the question, Mr. Stalin categorically said: “It [power sharing] will not work for Tamil Nadu. We are aware of it, and they too are aware.” He contended that some people with ulterior motives were attempting to disturb the alliance (led by the DMK), but it would not affect the parties concerned.
When asked if the ties between the DMK and the Congress would remain cordial, Mr. Stalin maintained: “Definitely. We are doing very well.”
When asked about his relationship with the Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister said: “As for Rahul, he considers me as his brother beyond politics. I, too, consider him as my brother.”
Responding to a question about which party he considered the DMK’s primary political opponent, Mr. Stalin maintained that no alliance could defeat the bloc headed by the DMK. “We are expecting 200 seats. We hope to win more than that.”
When asked to describe his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government, Mr. Stalin recalled a statement made by late DMK leader and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, “Urimaikku kural koduppom, uravukku kai koduppom. (We will lend a voice to rights, and extend a hand for relationships). That is the policy!”
Earlier, during a speech, Mr. Stalin listed out the achievements of his government in the past five years and said that the DMK was always working for the welfare of the people. “Even the Union government that has been intentionally disturbing the DMK government could not deny this development,” he said.
Many States were visiting Tamil Nadu to study the welfare programmes being implemented here, Mr. Stalin said, adding: “People believe that the future of Tamil Nadu would be better only if the DMK government continues. We are working hard only to stay true to the confidence they have in us.”
‘Centre being unjust’
Contending that the people of Tamil Nadu were observing how the BJP-led Union government was creating crises for the DMK government, Mr. Stalin claimed that the Centre was meting out injustice to Tamil Nadu in several matters, ranging from the devolution of funds to special programmes and railway projects.
“What did they do for Tamil Nadu in this [Union] Budget? We are placing demands only with the hope that they would do good for Tamil Nadu. Bu they gave us zero in this Budget. The people will also give a zero to the NDA alliance [in the upcoming election],” Mr. Stalin said.
The BJP was intending to “spread hatred” and “create confusion” only to benefit from them, Mr. Stalin charged.
He added: “They intend to destroy all the ideals of democracy. The democratic forces should not allow them to do that. We will certainly get the funds and justice due to Tamil Nadu. The fascist politics of the BJP will not work in the State.”
Published – February 11, 2026 03:30 pm IST
