Latest news with #ThamizhgathaiMeetpom
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Alliance only for elections, AIADMK never subscribes to religious politics, says Palaniswami
AIADMK general secretary and leader of Opposition Edappadi has said the party will not compromise on its principles for the sake of forging alliance. Addressing a gathering on July 22 at Papanasam in Thanjavur district as part of his Statewide Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhgathai Meetpom campaign, in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections, the former Chief Minister cautioned the minority community voters not to get deceived by the DMK's propaganda that AIADMK had allied with a communal party and hence, their interests would be compromised. Stating that AIADMK never subscribed to casteist or religious politics, he listed out various schemes and programmes implemented by the party for the welfare of the minority communities during its earlier regimes. 'The alliance is only for the elections', he said added that the party never compromises on its principles for the sake of electoral alliance and sought the support of the minority community. He wondered whether the BJP was not a communal party while the DMK had aligned with it in 1999 and 2001 or during the period when the former AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa forged an alliance with that party. Later, addressing a gathering near the Thanjavur Corporation headquarters on Gandhiji Road, Thanjavur, said the DMK was trying to create an impression that the forthcoming election is for Parliament, by training their guns on BJP. 'This is because, they were not able to criticise us (AIADMK) on any front. Further, the DMK had lost public support. That is why they had embarked on 'Oraniyil Thamizh Nadu' campaign to enrol members', he added.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
DMK government not showing interest in river linking project, says ex-CM
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday alleged that the DMK government had not shown any interest to take forward the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project. The former Chief Minister said his government had pursued the project vigorously and even ensured that Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments supported the proposal. The two States had said that the project could be implemented as a drinking water project instead of being a river linking project, Mr. Palaniswam said. He was addressing farmers at Tiruvarur as part of his State-wide Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhgathai Meetpom campaign on July 21. Mr. Palaniswami also questioned the current status of the Rasimanal Dam project. It would be possible to save around 62 tmcft of water if a dam across the Cauvery was built at Rasimanal in Tamil Nadu, he said. The State government could have easily convinced its alliance partner Congress, which is in power in Karnataka now, to drop the Mekedatu project and favour the Rasimanal Dam project,he said. Wondering what prevented the government from initiating steps towards achieving this goal which would favour the Delta region, he alleged that the DMK had refused to act in favour of Tamil Nadu in Cauvery issue while it shared power with the BJP and the Congress at the Centre for more than 15 years. Later in the day, the AIADMK general secretary addressed a roadside meeting at Mannargudi where he listed various schemes implemented in the region during the AIADMK regime. From Mannargudi, he drove to Thirubhuvanam in Thiruvidaimaruthur Assembly Segment in Thanjavur district where he solicited votes in favour of the AIADMK by enlightening the people about the steep increase in the cost of living in Tamil Nadu. 'Once the DMK came to power, almost all the sectors recorded steep price increase impacting the life of people, especially rural people. Further, education has become dearer to poor people,' he added. From there, the AIADMK general secretary drove to Kumbakonam where he addressed the electorate soliciting their support to the party in the forthcoming Assembly elections by terming the present DMK government as a 'failed model' government.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
DMK government is a failed model, says Palaniswami
The AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Friday termed the present State government a 'failed model.' Addressing a gathering at Nannilam in Tiruvarur district as part of his State-wide Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhgathai Meetpom roadshow on July 18, Mr. Palaniswami listed the failures of the present government led by M.K. Stalin, particularly on the law and order front. Citing the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 10-year-old schoolgirl at Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district, Mr. Palaniswami said the safety of women, from girls to elderly women, was under threat as the criminals had no fear. Drugs and other intoxicants were freely available in the State, he charged. In an oblique reference to the Chief Minister, he said if anyone wanted others to call him 'Appa,' (father), first he should inherit the qualities of a father. Having a dig at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister by stating that elevation of his son (Udhayanidhi Stalin) as the Deputy Chief Minister was his lone achievement, the AIADMK general secretary highlighted the various schemes and projects implemented in Nannilam Assembly Segment during the erstwhile AIADMK regime. 'You have asked me what the AIADMK had done to the people, now I challenge you to list the schemes/projects your government had done to the people', he said. Claiming the Communist Parties had lost their steam and valour, Mr. Palaniswami said the Communists once used to raise their voice for the people, but had now remained silent probably due to their 'act of bequeathing the party' to the DMK. Earlier, he interacted with women engaged in removal of weeds from the agricultural fields at Kollumangudi area. He got down from the van and entered the field to interact with them before resuming his journey towards Nannilam from Mayiladuthurai.
