2026 T.N. Assembly election is a battle between secularism and polarisation: Thamizhachi Thangapandian

DMK leader and Member of Parliament (South Chennai) Thamizhachi Thangapandian on Monday said that the 2026 Assembly election is a very different one. “It is not merely an election between two regional parties. It is a battle between secularism and polarisation. The Secular Progressive Alliance, led by the DMK, stands for the rights of the Tamils, our cultural rights, our federal rights. Whereas the NDA is spurred on by the ideals of the BJP,” she said.

The DMK, she said, was very comfortable and confident while facing the mandate. “We are facing the people with three main focuses, electoral promises made and kept, work carried out during the last five years, and the vision statement made by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. I don’t think any other chief minister has done such groundwork or has interacted with the public as he has done,” she added during an interaction with journalists at The Hindu office.

To a question on whether the BJP going with the AIADMK this time is an advantage for the DMK, Ms. Thangapandian said it was indeed an advantage for her party. “The AIADMK stands exposed before the people of the State by pledging the rights of the people to the BJP. We were both Dravidian parties. With this, we have emerged as the solitary voice against the BJP, whose main agenda seems to be to do away with all the regional parties. Very few voices of dissent are holding ground. In any democracy, voices are very important,” she opined.

Similarly, she also underscored how the DMK stood as a vocal and strong voice for upholding the rights of States in a federal structure.

To a question on concerns of the people including drug menace and caste-related violence, particularly in the southern districts, and access to higher education, Ms. Thangapandian said that it was a genuine concern and Mr. Stalin was aware of it and had been advising the police to ensure active, and visible policing in all areas in the State.

Caste-based violence

On the instances of caste-related violence, she said there’s no doubt that such incidents should not have happened at all. “We have never shielded away from our responsibilities when such incidents happen. We have always taken action. Our alliance partners too have been apprising the Chief Minister of such happenings. We are taking steps to make the younger generation aware,” she added.

On the concerns pertaining to higher education, she explained that the enrolment rates, especially of women, have actually increased during the past five years.

Asked about the entry of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the impact of the TVK, she said that the actor (Mr. Vijay) has taken random points from ideologies of other political parties and put them all together. “It all seems so scripted. No doubt, he has a large fan base. We have seen many actors having such a fan following, but will they deliver the vote for him? We are not considering him as a serious contender.”

On why the DMK has reduced the number of seats allotted to its allies, Ms. Thangapandian said that new entrants into the alliance too had to be given seats.

“Mr. Stalin had a Himalayan task before him, which he has managed very well despite some friction in some areas. When you are fighting against divisive forces, you don’t want to leave any stone unturned to make sure you form a steering secular alliance.”

Barrier to entry

On a query about the high costs of fighting elections dissuading youngsters from coming forward, she responded: “I used to mull over this: why is Gen Z is so reluctant to have critical political thinking. Why don’t they have the courage to take the plunge into politics. In order to break those fears, DMK has been constantly working with them. This time, we have 125 graduates, 17 engineers, 15 doctors, 29 advocates, seven Ph.D holders and even a 26-year-old candidate; and 60 new faces. All these are strategies to help youngsters test the waters. We give them the required space. I take this opportunity to appeal to youngsters to be politically conscious, sift through the ideologies, and not sit in the gallery but get down and play the game.”

She added that the DMK holds pride for any youngster with hope to make it big in politics. “If you work hard and are sincere, you will definitely land the berth. If you look at the track record of the party, you can see people get their due recognition for their work.”