
Anwar Raajhaa joins DMK, warns BJP will ‘destroy' AIADMK like other regional parties
The AIADMK suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, as Raajhaa was one of its most prominent Muslim faces and a vocal critic of the party's alliance with the BJP.
Speaking to the media after his formal induction into the DMK, Raajhaa said, 'The AIADMK has derailed from its ideological path and is now held hostage by the BJP. Wherever the BJP aligns, its intention is to devour and destroy—as it did with the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party. The BJP's agenda is to wipe out the AIADMK and confront the DMK.'
Raajhaa, who had been associated with the AIADMK for over five decades, said the BJP's treatment of the alliance was a key reason for his departure.
'In his three interviews, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had not even once mentioned that Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) is Chief Ministerial candidate. He has been reiterating that the NDA will secure the mandate and the BJP would be part of the government. Even EPS could not declare that he is the CM face in the event of AIADMK winning the election. But, like (US President) Trump claiming that he brought about the truce (in the Indo-Pak conflict), the fate of EPS is similar to that and hence he is parroting for the last 10 days that he is the CM nominee,' Raajhaa said, slamming the BJP and EPS.
Praising the leadership of the Chief Minister and DMK president, like all newcomers into the party, he said,'Stalin happens to be the only leader who can protect the Dravidian ideology and its cardinal principles like state autonomy and linguistic right of our language.'
Stung by Raajhaa's move to desert the party, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has expelled him as the party's Organising Secretary and from the primary membership. Though it was expected, the desertion of the Muslim leader had rattled the AIADMK leadership.
Earlier, arriving at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, Raajhaa, was welcomed into the party fold by Stalin, who presented him with a shawl and the DMK membership card.
He was disenchanted with the AIADMK's re-entry into the BJP-led NDA and had openly criticised the decision to align with the saffron party in party fora, concerned about the desertion of the party's base among the religious minorities.
Earlier, he had blamed the loss in the 2021 Assembly poll to the alliance with the BJP. Now, his entry into the DMK will help the party to further consolidate the minorities' support in the crucial assembly election.
A strongman from the southern Ramanathapuram district, he was in the AIADMK when the party was founded by the late matinee icon and Chief Minister MG Ramachandran (MGR), in 1972. MGR had elevated him to the party's highest policy-making body and along with Jayalaltihaa and both were inducted though not being ministers. In the split after MGR's demise, he was with the faction led by MGR's widow VN Janaki but eventually switched over to Jayalalithaa's side.
In the 2021 Assembly election, he was denied the ticket as he was opposed to the alliance with the BJP. Following his interview, praising VK Sasikala, he was axed from the party but rejoined in August last. He is among the last of the few known Muslim faces that the AIADMK had. With the minorities continuing to be captive vote bank of the DMK, Raajhaa's desertion would be a fatal blow for the AIADMK, particularly in the southern districts where the party's vote share has gone down, relegating it to third and fourth place in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
UNI MCR AAB

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Time of India
4 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Where Was Congress for 70 Years?': BJP Hits Back at Rahul's OBC Admission
In yesterday's event, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi admitted that the party had fallen short in addressing the aspirations of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) over the years. He acknowledged that while Congress focused on issues concerning Dalits, Adivasis, and women, it failed to adequately understand or respond to the challenges faced by OBC communities. Rahul further stated that this gap allowed the BJP to gain political ground among backward classes. He urged party leaders to ensure Congress becomes more inclusive and responsive to all communities going forward.#rahulgandhi #congressparty #obc #dalitrights #adivasiissues #womenempowerment #backwardclasses #socialjustice #indianpolitics #bjpvscongress #politicalnews #rahulspeech #india2025


Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Indian Express
In a first, Delhi govt mulls renaming schools after local war heroes
As Delhi marked Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday with tributes to martyrs, Education Minister Ashish Sood announced that the government is considering renaming government schools after local martyrs to 'inspire students and citizens' and instil 'patriotism'. 'This will help inspire students and citizens alike, and instil a sense of duty and patriotism among the younger generation,' the minister's office said in a statement on Saturday. The proposal is under consideration and will involve identifying suitable 'prominent government schools' across Delhi. Currently, Delhi government schools are largely named through centrally or state-run schemes, often in honour of national figures rather than individual local heroes. For instance, schools under the Centre's flagship scheme carry the prefix 'PM SHRI'. In the 2025–26 state budget, the Delhi government announced the rollout of 'CM SHRI Schools' as part of its own model school initiative. In April 2022, the then AAP-led government renamed all Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalayas (RPVVs) as Dr B R Ambedkar Schools of Specialized Excellence. This year, the Education Department also announced plans to set up at least 100 language labs named after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. So far, the renaming of educational institutions has mostly taken place in central universities. In 2016, Jawaharlal Nehru University renamed its central library after Dr B R Ambedkar following a student-backed proposal. While some seminar halls and centres have been renamed in other universities, similar initiatives have not been seen in Delhi government schools until now. Saturday's announcement was made during a commemorative event at Shivaji College, University of Delhi, where Sood served as the chief guest. He paid tributes to three alumni of the college, including Captain Sumit Roy, Captain Hanif-ud-Din and Captain Anuj Nayyar, who were killed in the 1999 Kargil War. 'The lives of these young warriors are a timeless source of inspiration. Their supreme sacrifice in the prime of youth was extraordinary. I genuinely believe that there is something exceptional in those who willingly lay down their lives for the nation,' Sood said. The education minister also spoke of civic responsibility as a form of service. 'Serving the nation also means fulfilling our civic duties, keeping our surroundings clean, following traffic rules, protecting public property, and living as responsible citizens. These are also acts of patriotism, equally vital for the progress of the country,' he said. The event was attended by Swapna Roy, the mother of Captain Sumit Roy. The ceremony was organised by the college's National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme units and saw participation by faculty members, college officials, and students.


News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
‘Insult Of Dalits…': BJP Slams Congress For Comparing Rahul Gandhi With Ambedkar
Last Updated: A political clash erupted as BJP accused Congress of insulting Ambedkar and Dalits after Udit Raj compared Rahul Gandhi to Dr BR Ambedkar. A political slugfest broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Saturday over grand-old-party leader Udit Raj's remark comparing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to Dr BR Ambedkar. The BJP said the such remarks are an insult of Dalits as well as of the social reformer. What Udit Raj Said? The Congress leader, inspired by Rahul Gandhi's yesterday address at the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan, claimed that the latter will prove to be the "second Ambedkar" for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) if they listen to what he said during the address. He further said that the OBCs must support the statements made by the Lok Sabha LoP. In a post on X on Saturday, Raj said, 'OBCs (Other Backward Classes) will have to think that history does not give opportunities for progress again and again. They should follow and support what Rahul Gandhi said at the Talkatora Stadium conference. If they do so, then Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them." ओबीसी को सोचना पड़ेगा इतिहास बार बार प्रगति के लिए मौका नहीं देता । ताल कटोरा स्टेडियम के सम्मेलन में जो बात राहुल गांधी ने कही उस पर चल पड़ें और साथ दें । अगर ऐसा करते हैं तो इनके लिए राहुल गांधी दूसरा अंबेडकर साबित होंगे ।— Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) July 26, 2025 Following Udit Raj's post, the BJP traded barbs at the grand-old-party for allegedly insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to diminish Ambedkar's legacy. 'Congress is now worried about finding another Ambedkar. But the country knows how Congress betrayed Dr Ambedkar and repeatedly insulted him, which is recorded in history, " Malviya said. कांग्रेस को अब दूसरा आंबेडकर खोजने की चिंता है।लेकिन देश जानता है कि कांग्रेस ने डॉ. आंबेडकर के साथ कैसे विश्वासघात किया और बार-बार उनका अपमान किया, ये इतिहास में दर्ज है।सवाल ये है — कांग्रेस दूसरा नेहरू क्यों नहीं खोज रही?क्योंकि ये प्रयास डॉ. आंबेडकर की विरासत और महानता को… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 26, 2025 He further took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi and said that he can 'never become anything, except a historic failure. The question is — why isn't Congress searching for another Nehru? Because this effort is a conspiracy to diminish Dr Ambedkar's legacy and greatness, And as for Rahul Gandhi — he can never become anything, except a historic failure," he added. BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Congress was talking about a second BR Ambedkar when it never respected the 'original" one. 'Insulting Dalits and BR Ambedkar has become the Congress' identity… Who insulted the 'original" Ambedkar? Who did not bestow the Bharat Ratna on him? Who did not let his Constitution be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir? Who spoke about Muslim reservation? Who said reservation is bad… Jawaharlal Nehru," Poonawalla said. What Rahul Gandhi Said? On Friday, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake, and said he was determined to correct it. While speaking at the ' Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan ' of OBC at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, he said that he failed to understand the issues of the OBCs earlier, unlike those of Dalits, tribals, and women, where he claimed the Congress had done commendable work. 'I think about my work, where I did well and where I fell short, and I see two to three things. Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill, and Niyamgiri struggle — all these things I did well. As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work," he said. (With inputs from agencies) view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: News politics 'Insult Of Dalits…': BJP Slams Congress For Comparing Rahul Gandhi With Ambedkar Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.