Latest news with #M.K.Stalin
NDTV
13 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
MK Stalin Launches Poll Campaign, Says AIADMK "Fully Under" BJP's Control
Chennai: The temple town of Madurai, the political capital of Tamil Nadu, crackled with political energy as the Chief Minister and DMK President, M.K. Stalin, formally launched the party's campaign for the 2026 elections at the general council meet. Addressing a gathering of party leaders and cadre, Mr Stalin issued a clear call, demanding immediate grassroots mobilisation. "Enrol at least 30% of voters as DMK members within the next two months," he instructed booth committees, setting an ambitious target to solidify the party's base. Mr Stalin framed the upcoming battle as a defence of Tamil Nadu's identity and progress against the key opposition party, AIADMK, that revived ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He launched a fierce attack on the rival AIADMK, declaring it "fully under BJP's control," accusing its leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), of seeking to bring the entire state under Delhi's saffron influence. Amit Shah frequently visits Tamil Nadu," Mr Stalin noted pointedly, delivering his signature rebuke: "As I said earlier, no Shah can rule Tamil Nadu. It is always out of control for Delhi." Mr Stalin alleged that if the BJP-AIADMK alliance wins, then communal clashes, regressive ideologies hindering education and industry, and a relentless assault on Tamil culture through Hindi imposition will occur. "They would drown us with regressive Tamil Nadu's identity," he alleged, urging cadre to proactively take this message to the people, countering rival narratives on social media and opinion polls. "Our truth should reach before their lies," he asserted, emphasising the need to stay ahead of the political narrative. Mr Stalin highlighted the strength of the DMK-led alliance, calling allies "our strength for successive victories." He asked his party cadre to adopt a "give and take" approach, mirroring his politeness and consideration in dealing with alliance partners. The campaign's core message, he stated, must be the DMK's "Everything for Everyone" policy, showcasing their governance which he claimed rescued Tamil Nadu from the "depths" of AIADMK rule, achieving top growth rankings despite alleged economic crippling by the Centre, gubernatorial interference to create obstacles, and erosion of state rights. The DMK General Council echoed his stance, passing resolutions demanding the Centre abandon population-based delimitation (fearing reduced TN representation), withdraw the Waqf Amendment Act, release withheld funds, cease alleged misuse of investigative agencies, and halt Hindi imposition. They slammed the "divisive Hindutva politics" and centralisation of power while demanding an expedited caste-based census. The battle lines for 2026 were decisively drawn. Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswamy today denied these allegations. He said, "It is DMK that has betrayed Tamil Nadu. They were in power in Delhi for 16 years, but they did nothing about bringing education under the state list, but when out of power, they raise this". BJP state Chief Nainar Nagendran said, "Even Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has explained how the state has received more funds when compared to the UPA regime. How long would you enact this drama?", he added. The DMK has countered the argument in the past, saying the right way to compare would be against the then GDP and present GDP to find out how much the state gets.
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Despite the hurdles put up by the Centre, Tamil Nadu has emerged number one in growth, says Chief Minister Stalin
Despite the BJP-led government at the Centre placing innumerable obstacles, Tamil Nadu has emerged as the number one State in terms of growth, DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Sunday. Speaking at the party's general council meeting in Madurai to strategise for the 2026 Assembly election, he said the DMK government was fighting the BJP-led Central government that had placed so many hurdles to hamper the growth of Tamil Nadu. 'It is trying to cripple the State's economy by denying its rightful share. Yet, we have overcome the hurdles and continue to be a welfare State,' he said. 'The struggles and crises we are passing through are not ordinary. We are the ruling party in the State. Yet, we are facing the difficulties that would normally be faced by an Opposition party. Even if I am the Chief Minister, I am fighting for everything as if I were in the Opposition. This is a fight for Tamil Nadu's welfare and the rights of the States. All kinds of obstacles — be it political, economic, or constitutional in the form of the Governor — are being created to snatch away the rights of Tamil Nadu,' he said. Mr. Stalin said public support to the government was much more than any anti-incumbency wave. Some were trying to divert the attention of the people. As the Assembly election was just months away, disinformation, fake news, and fake surveys would be spread through social media, he cautioned. They [the BJP] would try to defame the government with lies and use social media for the purpose. 'Truth should reach the people before their lies,' he said. People should be made to realise that the BJP was divisive, would indulge in communal riots, and would eventually erase the Tamil identity, he said. Underscoring the importance of the alliance for the party's victories in the successive elections, he asked the party's second-rung leadership to respect the allies and resolve differences through talks.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Under ‘Oraniyil Tamil Nadu', 30% voters in a booth should be made DMK members: Stalin
Thirty percent of the voters should be members of the DMK by the next Assembly election, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said in a special resolution at the party general council meeting held in Madurai on Sunday. To strive for another term in the government and to fight for the rights of the State, the people of Tamil Nadu should be brought under an umbrella in the upcoming Assembly election. 'Under 'Oraniyil Tamil Nadu', booth-committee members should visit every doorstep in their areas to explain to them about the schemes and the State's fights for achieving its autonomy,' he said. He called for expanding the party membership and told cadres that at least 30% of the voters in a booth limit should be members of the party. In the next two months, all party cadre starting from district level to branch level, should have achieved the targets earmarked for them, Mr. Stalin said He directed the district secretaries and constituency in-charges to vigorously monitor the enrolment drive. They were asked to ensure that the targets were met within the coming months, adding that he would personally supervise the enrolment drive. While addressing the general council members, Mr. Stalin recalled some of DMK's significant political developments in Madurai district. Anti-Hindi agitations in 1963, march (padayatra) for Tiruchendur issue in 1982 started in Madurai. After the task of leading the DMK youth wing was entrusted with him, the long journey started with a speech at Jhansi Rani Park in Madurai, he said. 'The general council meeting which happens in such a place will definitely boost the spirit of the party and cadre to fight against the authoritarian powers to achieve State autonomy,' he said. During the meeting, an announcement was made to create two new party wings for differently abled and academicians. Minister who organised the meeting, was appreciated by Mr. Stalin.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Chamber appeals to CM to hold next Global Investors Meet in Madurai
The Tamil Nadu government should conduct its next Global Investors Meet (GIM) in Madurai as it would attract international investors to bring investments to southern districts of Tamil Nadu, said Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president N. Jagatheesan. In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who was in the city, a delegation led by him suggested to conduct the GIM conclave in Madurai. A copy of the memorandum, which was released to the media persons on Sunday, said that the GIM was held with the aim of bringing together international investors, industry leaders, government representatives and experts on a common platform. While Tamil Nadu is considered one of the leading manufacturing States in the country, industrial growth has not been evenly distributed across the State. Compared to the northern and western districts of Tamil Nadu, industrial and economic development in the southern region remains significantly underdeveloped. With a population of 2.5 crore, south Tamil Nadu - comprising Madurai and 13 other districts - stands to benefit greatly from the establishment of major industries. This would, in turn, create local employment opportunities, especially for the students graduating from more than 170 engineering colleges in this region. To help catalyze this growth, the government should organise the upcoming GIM in Madurai. With increasing issues such as population growth and traffic congestion in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasised the urgent need to establish Madurai as the second capital. Currently, all government heads of departments are in Chennai. Even to start a small business, entrepreneurs have to travel to Chennai, meet the officials and obtain necessary approvals. Kanyakumari is about 800 km away from Chennai, causing significant costs and time delays. Due to these difficulties, many entrepreneurs find it hard to start even small and micro-enterprises in the southern districts, resulting in the region lagging behind in industrial development. Other States such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh have officially declared second capitals and are operating them effectively. Andhra Pradesh has made an announcement to set up three capitals, and in Kerala, several high-level government offices and the Kerala High Court function in Ernakulam. Therefore, it has become necessary and essential to declare Madurai as the second capital of Tamil Nadu. This will enable more efficient administration. Currently, about 42 government departments and 75 commissioner/director offices operate in Chennai. If Madurai is declared the second capital and a significant number of offices are relocated here, it would open up substantial opportunities for the development and prosperity of South Tamil Nadu. The airport runway rehabilitation project has been successfully implemented at Varanasi, New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, Mumbai Terminal 2 and Chandigarh International Airport. In all these airports, while runway expansion work is under way, the underpass work in national highway has been carried out efficiently by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). However, the national highway adjacent to Madurai airport is currently maintained by the State Highways Department, under TNRIDC, which is part of the State government. Considering the high cost of constructing underpass, the TNRIDC has proposed to reroute the current highway by about excess 7 km as an alternative bypass. This rerouting means that buses servicing hundreds of villages located south of the airport would have to travel an additional 7 km each way. This results in increased fuel consumption, travel time, and higher transportation costs for the public commuting from the southern region to the city. The added travel distance will also increase the operational expenses of the government transport department by crores of rupees every month due to delays and fuel costs. If the bypass road is developed and traffic rerouted accordingly, it may take at least 7 more years for the runway expansion work to begin, significantly increasing the project cost and timeline, the delegation said.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu government offers help to residents of Madrasi Camp in New Delhi to return to the State
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to lend a hand to residents of Madrasi Camp in New Delhi, whose unauthorised houses on the bank of the Barapullah drain are to be demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). An official release said the State government, as directed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, would help the residents return to their native districts, if they chose to do so. They would be given comprehensive support, including assistance for livelihood, through the Collectors, it said. The Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi was tasked with reaching out to the residents. The government was coordinating with them to ensure that they got help without delay, it said. Madrasi Camp is an informal habitation along the bank of the Barapullah Jangpura drain, near Nizamuddin Railway Station in South Delhi. It has 370 slum dwelling units. The settlement is predominantly inhabited by persons of Tamil Nadu origin. The Delhi High Court had noted that Madrasi Camp was an 'unauthorized construction/encroachment' that had led to the obstruction and blockage of the Barapullah drain, 'causing significant waterlogging in the surrounding areas, especially during the monsoon'. It had directed that eligible residents be rehabilitated and relocated under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board Act and the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015. In compliance with this ruling, a comprehensive survey was done by a committee to assess the eligibility of the residents for rehabilitation and relocation. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has determined that 215 out of the 370 residents are eligible for allotment of residential units under the economically weaker section category at Narela. On May 9 this year, all petitions filed by the residents were disposed of by the Delhi High Court, which ordered the commencement of demolition at Madrasi Camp from June 1. The Tamil Nadu government said, 'All legal avenues available to the residents of Madrasi Camp for retaining the unauthorised constructions at the site have been duly exhausted.'
