Days after joining the NDA, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran said on Monday that he would not contest the upcoming Assembly election. Instead, he would field his party functionaries and ensure their victory, Mr. Dhinakaran told reporters in Theni.
He reiterated that the NDA in Tamil Nadu would be led by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. “It is very clear. There is no doubt or confusion,” he said. Mr. Dhinakaran, who was, for nine years, opposed to Mr. Palaniswami, recently joined forces with him at the behest of the BJP.
Coming down heavily on the ruling DMK, he said the party had no moral authority to talk about corruption. According to him, the State had gone from bad to worse in almost every sphere. “There is not a single day without crimes against women. The downtrodden live in a state of fear. There is no law. The hands of the police are tied up. The youth have access to narcotics, and crimes have scaled up so badly that the State has become a hub for ganja,” he said. The people were disappointed and frustrated with the DMK government.
Clarifying that the problems among the NDA constituents were settled, he said there was no need for outsiders to comment on the AMMK’s ‘reunion’ with AIADMK. The AIADMK cadre too, were keen to bring back the glory to Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Dhinakaran hoped that former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who was expelled from the AIADMK, would take a wise decision in the larger interest of Tamil Nadu’s welfare and its people. “He was Chief Minister thrice. No need to advise him on the good and the bad. He will make the right move soon,” he said.
On TVK leader Vijay branding the AIADMK “corrupt”, Mr. Dhinakaran said the AIADMK had gained the trust of the people during its rule and that Mr. Vijay should be responsible in his remarks in order to earn respect. “A party, which had ruled the State for over three decades has earned the trust of the people. Moreover, it was founded by late MGR and subsequently, led by Amma (Jayalalithaa). Hence, the TVK leader should be guarded, which alone would give him the respect,” he said.
Published – January 27, 2026 12:15 am IST
