DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday (March 20, 2026) said the people of Tamil Nadu, who understand the hardships they would face if the State falls into the hands of those “who need Delhi’s approval even to contest elections”, will never allow Delhi’s dominance or its subordinate forces.
The statement from Mr. Stalin came amid AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s visit to New Delhi and his meeting with BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for seat-sharing negotiations on Thursday (March 19).
Mr. Stalin said in the last five years, despite challenges posed by the Union government’s “anti-Tamil and vindictive approach”, the DMK government implemented numerous schemes while continuing the fight for State rights and safeguarding democracy.
“That is why I say the 2026 election is a contest between Tamil Nadu and Delhi. While I say this, it is evident decisions are being made in Delhi. Why is the Leader of the Opposition and his associates going to Delhi? Is it to secure funds for Tamil Nadu or to get approvals for pending projects or to protect State rights or to discuss the impact of LPG scarcity? Certainly not,” Mr. Stalin said.
“People know that, just as they have mortgaged their own party for self-interest, they would not hesitate to mortgage Tamil Nadu to Delhi. People have also realised that any decision taken by the Opposition is a decision taken by Delhi,” the DMK president contended.
According to him, people of Tamil Nadu believe it is only the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance that has the strength to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu and lead it on the path of development.
Following the death of former Chief Minister C.N.Annadurai in 1969, his [Stalin] father and DMK patriarch late M. Karunanidhi carried the party and the government on his shoulders and secured a historic victory in 1971 elections, Mr. Stalin recalled.
“Likewise, though Kalaignar [Karunanidhi] is not with us today, we will ensure the Dravidian model government continues along his ideological path,” said Mr. Stalin,expressing confidence his party would win in the ensuing elections.
Published – March 20, 2026 12:59 pm IST
