2026 Tamil Nadu elections will mark a permanent farewell to Edappadi Palaniswami: M.K. Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) said the upcoming State Assembly elections would mark a permanent farewell to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, alleging that even members of his own party no longer trust him.

Mr. Stalin made the remarks while launching and inaugurating completed development projects and distributing welfare assistance in Mayiladuthurai district, during which he expressed criticism of both the AIADMK and BJP-led Union government.

Responding to Mr. Palaniswami’s criticism of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Stalin said, “He is unable to accept the scheme’s success. His criticisms only serve to advertise our achievements. We implement this scheme without bias; even women from AIADMK families benefit.”

He accused Mr. Palaniswami of reversing welfare progress during his tenure, pointing to the cancellation of the Moovalur Ramamirtham marriage assistance scheme and the free laptop distribution programme. “Mr. Palaniswami says ‘Tata, bye bye’ to me. But since 2019, the people of Tamil Nadu have been saying the same to him. In the upcoming elections, it will be a permanent goodbye,” Mr. Stalin remarked. “Even his own party cadres no longer believe in him.”

Taking aim at Mr. Palaniswami’s outreach to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Stalin alleged, that the AIADMK leader had knocked on Delhi’s doors not for the people of Tamil Nadu but to escape raids and protect his family. “He mortgaged a party built by lakhs of cadre,” Mr. Stalin alleged.

On the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen’s frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities, Mr. Stalin criticised the Union government for political inaction. “The BJP-led Union government has failed to act, while continuing to politicise the Katchatheevu issue. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister clearly said the Tamil Nadu fishermen are intruding into their waters and that Katchatheevu will never be returned. And what has our External Affairs Minister said in response? Nothing.” Mr. Stalin reiterated his demand for the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring a lasting solution to the issue.

Mr. Stalin declared that the next government at the Centre would be a “Dravidian Model 2.0 government”, one that would serve as a national benchmark for inclusive and progressive governance.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin unveiled a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Vazhuvur village in Kuthalam taluk. He also held a brief roadshow near Dharmapuram, where he greeted school and college students as well as members of the general public.