T.N. Assembly | DMK will return to power, work with greater speed and commitment: CM Stalin

On the final sitting of the 16^th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday (February 20, 2026), Chief Minister M.K. Stalin asserted that his party, the DMK, would return to power after the elections this year and continue its work with greater speed and commitment.

“I have been guided by my conscience and remain ready to work even harder. I firmly believe that with the Dravidian Model 2.0 government, we will outperform our own achievements,” Mr. Stalin said in his 15-minute speech.

He said he was satisfied that over the past five years, the Dravidian model government – inspired by the self-respect and social justice ideals of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, the State autonomy vision of C.N. Annadurai, and the administrative acumen of M. Karunanidhi – had fulfilled the responsibilities entrusted to it to the best of its ability.

He said those in leadership should possess patience, tolerance, dedication, compassion, and commitment to duty, and that he had adhered to these qualities. The experience he gained over the past five years had given him the strength and confidence to elevate Tamil Nadu to greater heights, Mr. Stalin said, adding that he was ready to work even harder and face any challenges.

The Chief Minister also said he regarded all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu as his own, without distinction between those who voted for the DMK-led alliance and those who did not. He thanked the people of Tamil Nadu and the voters of his Kolathur Assembly constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve.

The Chief Minister said his government had assumed office in 2021, amid setbacks caused by the previous administration and a non-cooperative Union government. Despite financial constraints, the DMK government had implemented numerous schemes and ensured balanced development across sectors, Mr. Stalin said, listing the flagship initiatives carried out over the last five years.

He also thanked Ram Nath Kovind, who was then the President of India, for participating in the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 2021 and unveiling the portrait of Karunanidhi. He said he had no personal differences with the Governor. However, if the self-respect of Tamils was hurt, he would be the first to raise his voice. He went on to thank the Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, leaders of all political parties, MLAs, and officials.

Mr. Stalin also recalled the contributions of the late members of the 16th Assembly: Thirumagan Everaa, N. Pugazhenthi, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, T.K. Amul Kandasamy and K. Ponnusamy.