Despite Shah’s ‘NDA govt.’ stand, EPS says AIADMK will form govt. on its own

On the day BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared in Pudukottai that the BJP-AIADMK inclusive NDA would form the next government in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami did not endorse it at a pre-election rally in Salem on Sunday. Instead, the former Chief Minister said the AIADMK would form the next government on its own after this year’s Assembly election.

Addressing a public meeting in Veerapandi Assembly constituency as part of his ongoing Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom campaign, Mr. Palaniswami said the AIADMK-led alliance (inclusive of BJP) would register a massive win in the Assembly polls, and the “AIADMK will form a government on its own”. For this, the party would forge a “strong alliance”.

The Leader of the Opposition said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was making new announcements, fearing defeat. “Instead of restoring the Old Pension Scheme, which the DMK promised in its manifesto, the government just changed the name [to Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme] and cheated the government employees.”

According to him, in the DMK regime, only one family is living a wealthy life. “No one is safe under the DMK regime and people are living in fear. But, the Chief Minister is not worried about this. A few days ago, under the influence of ganja, a few youths attacked a North Indian youth on a train. The Chief Minister has not appointed a regular DGP until now, even after court direction. The upcoming Assembly election will put an end to family and dynasty politics,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

Accusing the government of being corrupt, he said the Directorate of Enforcement had asked the State police to register an FIR against a DMK minister in connection with a job-for-money scam, but no action was taken.

The AIADMK leader further claimed that the government was demanding a ₹30-lakh bribe from each stone crusher unit for issuing permits and had started collecting ₹900 crore through this.

With the elections approaching, the government had allocated ₹44 crore “for research on women’s self-help groups”, but the amount was meant for “swindling”, he said.

According to him, the Union government increased the working days to 125 from 100 under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) following the demand from the AIADMK.

Adverting to local politics, he said the AIADMK won double-digit seats in Salem district and proved it is an AIADMK fort. In 2026 too, the AIADMK alliance will win all 11 assembly constituencies. He reiterated his allegation that no schemes were brought by the DMK government for the district and schemes introduced by his erstwhile government were stalled.