T.N. Assembly election: Stalin challenges Prime Minister Modi to repeat Bihar poll jibe during T.N. campaign

DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday challenged BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeat his accusation levelled at the time of Bihar Assembly election purportedly about the ill-treatment of the State’s workers in Tamil Nadu, during his upcoming roadshow in Chennai on April 4.

The “blatant lie ill behoving of his position” by the Prime Minister about Tamil Nadu that has been a haven of peace for people of diverse cultures; his claim that the missing keys to the treasury of the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha had been taken to Tamil Nadu; and the labelling of the Tamil Nadu Government and its MPs as “uncivilised” in Parliament by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reeked of the Centre’s hatred for Tamil Nadu because Periyar’s ideals reign supreme in the State, Mr. Stalin said while campaigning for candidates of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in the 10 constituencies — Coimbatore North, Coimbatore South, Sulur, Kinathukkadavu, Pollachi, Valparai, Thondamuthur, Mettupalayam, Singanallur, and Kavundampalayam — of Coimbatore district.

Referring to the instance of denial of the Metro Rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, Mr. Stalin sought to drive home the point that if the same scheme could be approved in cities such as Agra and Patna, where the population was relatively less, there was no reason to deny the same for the two major cities in Tamil Nadu by harping on 20 lakh population threshold, based on the 2011 census.

“Is the Central government blind to the pace of population growth over the years, and the extent it would go up further by the time the project is completed?”

Terming the Centre’s outlook as “injustice’, Mr. Stalin questioned if Tamil Nadu electorate’s rejection of the BJP so far constituted a crime. “With what face will you seek votes in Tamil Nadu after having denied the requisite flood relief. It is, hence, only natural for people to forget about the BJP when they go to the polling booths,” Mr. Stalin asserted.

The Chief Minister, in jest, attributed the DMK’s thumping victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to the frequent visits of Mr. Modi to Tamil Nadu (for poll campaign), elaborating: “As such, the victory of the DMK alliance in over 200 constituencies is a given. The more the number of visits by the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah to Tamil Nadu, higher will be the margin of DMK’s victory.”

Training his guns on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the Chief Minister counter-charged the former’s claim about the DMK copying from AIADMK’s manifesto, saying: “It is the other way round.” The AIADMK (bereft of substance in its manifesto) was a burden to the BJP, Mr. Stalin said.

“I am seeking votes in Coimbatore as a matter of right, having accomplished major projects including Semmozhi Poonga, G.D. Naidu flyover, Ukkadam Bus Stand, the Vilankurichi IT Park, and Jewel Park,” Mr. Stalin said. Former Minister V. Senthilbalaji, who is the DMK’s candidate for Coimbatore South, said the SPA would win in all 10 seats, and he would turn Coimbatore into the DMK’s fortress.

Women’s safety

Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin canvassed votes for the DMK and Secular Progressive Alliance candidates in Erode and said the ‘Dravidian model’ of governance had ensured all-round development across the State, and alleged that women’s safety was compromised during the AIADMK regime led by Mr. Palaniswami.

Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin waving at the crowd during an election campaign meeting in Erode on April 2, 2026
| Photo Credit:
M. Govarthan

Targeting Mr. Palaniswami, Mr. Stalin referred to the Pollachi sexual assault case and the harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police by a Special DGP, and claimed that the previous regime had failed to act effectively. He said the present government had ensured punishment for the accused and relief for victims. He cited the implementation of the Athikadavu-Avinashi project, inauguration of the turmeric research centre, conversion of conditional pattas into full ownership, establishment of government colleges in Anthiyur and Thalavadi, and implementation of combined drinking water schemes in parts of the district.

Stating that development over the past five years had been planned and executed across sectors, he said welfare measures had reached all sections, with “at least one beneficiary in every household” in the State. Schemes aimed at women had enhanced financial independence and were being emulated by other States, he added. In 86% of cases involving crimes against women and children, chargesheets were filed within 60 days, he said.

Criticising the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mr. Stalin flagged issues such as NEET, rejection of Metro Rail projects, anti-farmer laws, and challenges faced by MSMEs. He also alleged attempts to impose Hindi and encroach on State rights. Describing the NDA as a “betraying alliance”, he urged voters to back the DMK-led front. “Our struggle is not merely for electoral victory, but for the State’s rights and continued development,” he added.

Former CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan, Ministers S. Muthusamy and M.P. Saminathan, MPs MPs Anthiyur P. Selvaraj and K.E. Prakash, and West Zone in-charge for election work V. Senthilbalaji participated.

Published – April 02, 2026 01:20 pm IST