Udhayanidhi Stalin Launches Scathing Attack on AIADMK's Palaniswami Over BJP Allegiances
In a sharp political maneuver, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin of the DMK targeted AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday, asserting that his ideological mentors are Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The remarks came as Udhayanidhi initiated his election campaign from Kancheepuram, where he paid homage to former Chief Minister C N Annadurai at his memorial residence before rallying support for DMK candidate Nithya Sugumar.
Contrasting Campaign Strategies Highlight Ideological Divides
Udhayanidhi emphasized the symbolic significance of campaign locations, noting that he and his father, Chief Minister M K Stalin, began their electoral drives from the native places of DMK stalwarts like Annadurai and M Karunanidhi. In stark contrast, he pointed out that Palaniswami chose to start his campaign from Mylapore, a known stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "This clearly indicates that Palaniswami's ideological leaders are Modi and Shah," Udhayanidhi declared. "Can we permit Modi and Amit Shah to gain entry into Tamil Nadu? This is precisely why our president Stalin emphasizes that this election represents a battle between Tamil Nadu and Delhi."
Questioning BJP's Contributions to Tamil Nadu's Development
The deputy chief minister raised critical questions about the BJP-led central government's role in Tamil Nadu's economic progress. He highlighted that Tamil Nadu leads as the top-performing state with an impressive economic growth rate of 11.19%. "Has the BJP government contributed anything substantial to our growth? Have they allocated specific funds for Tamil Nadu? The answer is a resounding no," Udhayanidhi stated. He further criticized the Union budget for failing to even mention the name Tamil Nadu, accusing Palaniswami of being "desperate to bring BJP influence into the state."
Campaign Trail and Candidate Updates in Key Constituencies
Udhayanidhi actively campaigned in the Vandavasi and Kilpennathur constituencies, advocating for DMK candidates. In these areas, the DMK has maintained continuity by retaining incumbent MLAs S Ambeth Kumar in Vandavasi and K Pichandi in Kilpennathur. However, in a strategic shift, the party replaced MLA C V M P Ezhilarasan representing Kancheepuram with a new face, Nithya Sugumar, aiming to inject fresh energy into the campaign.
Opposition to BJP Policies on Education and Financial Rights
Udhayanidhi voiced strong opposition to BJP policies, accusing them of encroaching on Tamil Nadu's educational and financial autonomy. He specifically targeted the National Education Policy (NEP), which has been implemented nationwide but rejected in Tamil Nadu due to concerns over Hindi imposition. "The BJP is systematically eroding our educational and financial rights," he asserted. "They introduced NEP across the country, but we in Tamil Nadu recognized it as a covert method to impose Hindi. Consequently, educational funds amounting to 2,500 crore have been withheld, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan linking their release to NEP acceptance." Udhayanidhi praised Chief Minister Stalin's unwavering stance, noting that even if the BJP offered 10,000 crore, Tamil Nadu would refuse to adopt NEP, underscoring the state's commitment to preserving its linguistic and cultural identity.
