Stalin urges DMK cadre to avoid harsh criticism over VCK, IUML joining TVK government

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday (May 22, 2026) extended his greetings to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA Vanni Arasu and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA A.M. Shahjahan on becoming Ministers in the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Cabinet.

He also said every party has the right to decide its own political course. He urged members of the DMK not to use any harsh words in a manner that would hurt the sentiments of any party. “We are followers of Perarignar Anna [C.N. Annadurai] and Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar [M. Karunanidhi]. Let us not forget that and function as a constructive Opposition that appreciates what is good and criticises what is not,” he said in a post on X.

Mr. Stalin’s remarks came against the backdrop of some DMK leaders criticising the entry of the VCK and the IUML, both of which contested as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, into the TVK-led Cabinet.