Stalin gave ₹5,000 only because of pressure from AIADMK, says Palaniswami

The DMK government, of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, gave ₹5,000 to the beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme a few days ago only because of the pressure mounted by the AIADMK, party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said at a public meeting near Madhavaram on Sunday (February 22, 2026).

He recalled having made 10 electoral assurances, including one of granting a monthly assistance of ₹2,000 to all women heads of families holding ration cards. Soon after his party made the announcement, Mr. Stalin grew anxious and credited the sum into the accounts of the beneficiaries, he said.

Mr. Palaniswami said that the AIADMK was a party wherein even a worker could become its general secretary, and the Chief Minister. But it was not the case in the DMK. Though DMK  general secretary Duraimurugan was the longest-serving MLA now, he was not made the Deputy Chief Minister “only because he is not a family member of late leader M. Karunanidhi”, he said.

Accusing Mr. Stalin of having prioritised his family’s welfare over that of the people, Mr. Palaniswami said DMK rule was promoting dynasty politics and asked the gathering whether such a party should continue in power. Udhayanidhi Stalin got the post of Deputy Chief Minister without working for the party and he qualified for the post only because he was the family member of late leader M. Karunanidhi and son of the Chief Minister, Mr. Palaniswami said.

The DMK, he said, had looted the State while being in power. Mr. Stalin was a “traitor” as he failed to keep several electoral assurances. Rejecting Mr. Stalin’s charge that he was a “chicken-hearted person” (‘bayanthangolli’), Mr. Palaniswami said, “Unlike you, we are not hitching a ride on the back of many alliance parties.” Mr. Stalin should not underestimate the AIADMK, he said. The DMK government had increased the State’s debt, and the people would bear the burden as the government would impose taxes for its repayment, he added.

Whenever the election was held, the AIADMK-led alliance would secure majority and form a government, Mr. Palaniswami said. When the DMK was in the Opposition, its workers showed the black flag to Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was visiting Tamil Nadu; but Mr. Stalin welcomed him with a “white umbrella” after becoming the Chief Minister. He stood exposed for his “double standard”, he said.

The former Chief Minister said the law and order was deteriorating by the day in the State, and there was no safety for women under DMK rule. He hoped that his party would return to power and the people would be happy.