We thwarted BJP’s attempt to halt Magalir Urimai Thogai, says Stalin

Stalin defends Tamil Nadu's welfare scheme against BJP's interference, criticizing their lack of new initiatives and AIADMK's submission.

Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin said on Saturday that the ruling DMK had effectively thwarted attempts made by the BJP to halt the distribution of monthly assistance under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme before the 2026 Assembly election by moving the Supreme Court.

Speaking at a DMK booth-level agents conference in Tirupattur, he said the BJP had attempted to halt the welfare scheme before the Assembly election through a petition at the top court as the scheme had garnered massive support, especially among women, in the State. “By crediting ₹5,000 for beneficiaries under the scheme in anticipation of such a move by the BJP before the Assembly election, we successfully thwarted their attempts to halt the scheme. So, we gave a ‘surprise’ to the people of Tamil Nadu and delivered a ‘shock’ to our adversaries. This is Stalin’s style,” he remarked.

Mr. Stalin criticised the BJP-led Centre for not introducing any new schemes or projects for Tamil Nadu. “Neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor Union Home Minister Amit Shah was able to answer when asked about new schemes for Tamil Nadu. Does Edappadi K. Palaniswami have the courage to condemn the Centre’s indifference towards Tamil Nadu?” he asked.

Flaying Mr. Palaniswami for giving away Tamil Nadu’s rights to the Centre, the DMK president said the AIADMK leader had become the branch secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu and took orders from its top brass. “He (Mr. Palaniswami) was the one who crawled before Ms. Sasikala, who made him Chief Minister, before he pulled her down. Even today, he remains an example of what a politician should not be,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said heinous crimes had occurred during Mr. Palaniswami’s tenure as Chief Minister, such as the gang rape incident in Pollachi, the Sathankulam custodial deaths, and the Sterlite firing. “Mr. Palaniswami supported the Centre on farm Bills, legislation that affected the rights of minorities in the country. No longer will the people of Tamil Nadu believe his words when he blames the DMK,” he said.

Earlier, former AIADMK Labour Minister Nilofer Kafeel formally joined the DMK at the conference in the presence of Mr. Stalin. Senior DMK leaders and Ministers E.V. Velu, K. Ponmudy, M.P. Saminathan, and T.R Baalu, were among those present.