Sterlite Copper’s attempt to re-enter Thoothukudi must be blocked by T.N. govt.: Vaiko

Sterlite Copper is attempting to re-enter Thoothukudi under the guise of a ‘Green Copper’ model, but such proposals should be blocked in the initial stages itself, said Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko in Madurai on Thursday (February 19, 2026).

Speaking to the media, he said that the Vedanta group had announced the new proposal claiming it would have a lower carbon footprint. “Such a proposal would create apprehensions again, and the public may be victim to hazardous pollution,” he charged.

The State government should direct the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) authorities not to entertain any such application and reject it forthright, Mr. Vaiko said, and appealed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to take stern action in the larger interest of the public.

The MDMK, he said, had struggled against the corporation for over two decades, and this resulted in the closure of the copper smelter unit in the ‘pearl city’. “The party would stand by the people and fight tooth and nail against the industry,” he asserted.

‘No need for coalition govt.’

With the Tamil Nadu Assembly election fast approaching, he said the DMK-led front would register a landslide victory. “There would be no need for a coalition government. The DMK will form a government on its own,” he reiterated.

To a query on Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s repeated insistence on power sharing, Mr. Vaiko said a coalition system would not suit the Tamil Nadu soil. The alliance led by the DMK was intact, he said, while welcoming the DMDK into the bloc.

On the frequent arrests of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, he said the Union government had shown “scant respect for the lives of fishermen.” He added: “Political parties from Tamil Nadu had, several times, taken up the matter with the Union government, urging it to strongly condemn and interfere into the ‘illegal’ act. However, the Union government gave no importance to it. A dialogue at the highest level alone would bring about a solution.”

He further said the State government should register cases against BJP functionaries, including its former State president K. Annamalai, for their misleading remarks over the death of a 17-year-old girl in Michealpatti, Thanjavur district. The CBI’s probe had shown that the death had nothing to do with religious conversion, while the BJP leaders claimed it to be an attempt to conversion, he said.

In view of the election, the BJP leaders from New Delhi may come to Tamil Nadu often and attempt to woo the people. However, the voters here are intelligent and would not fall prey to their sugar-coated words, he said.

Poll fund

The Madurai MDMK unit secretary Munusami and his team presented ₹50 lakh to Mr. Vaiko as their contribution to the party’s election fund. State leaders, district secretaries from Madurai, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, and MLA Pudur Boominathan and others participated.