DMK is our only enemy, says Palaniswami

AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami targets DMK, denies alliance with BJP, and vows to protect fishers in Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said here on Tuesday that the DMK was the only enemy of his party.

On reports that the AIADMK was holding talks with the BJP for an alliance in the 2026 Assembly election, he said his party was ready to defeat the DMK, and this was its primary aim. “We look to harvest all votes against the DMK, and defeat it in 2026,” Mr. Palaniswami added.

He also denied claims of a promise, reportedly made by the AIADMK during the 2024 general election that it would give a Rajya Sabha seat to the DMDK. “We did not say it like that. We released the election manifesto during the 2024 election, and will act by it.”

On the protest by Rameswaram fishers, he said the Sri Lankan Navy was arresting fishers from the State even for straying a few meters beyond the international boundary inadvertently. The Sri Lankan Navy could warn them instead of apprehending them and impounding their boats. The Indian and Sri Lankan governments should resolve the issue and take steps to secure the release of the fishers he said.

The AIADMK’s stand was to save and protect the fishers, he said. “Everyone knows under whose government the Katchatheevu [islet] was given to Sri Lanka,” he added.

The DMK was not raising such issues in Parliament as it was afraid of raids, he alleged.

Alleging that corruption was rampant in Tamil Nadu under DMK rule, Mr. Palaniswami claimed that recently, the Dharmapuri DMK district secretary had threatened the Collector and the Superintendent of Police.