Thoothukudi MP K. Kanimozhi
DMK deputy general secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said the TVK was playing safe with the Union government and wanted to stay in its good books, with “a little bit of posturing done here and there”.
In an interview with The Hindu, Ms. Kanimozhi was responding to a query on Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s statement that the TVK would cooperate with the Centre on welfare measures but oppose policies against Tamil Nadu’s rights, and whether she saw this as a genuine approach or merely political positioning.
Ms. Kanimozhi said the DMK government had not opposed the Union government on everything and had met the Union government on matters relating to finance and projects in Tamil Nadu. However, when a Bill was passed in Parliament and was against State rights, “we have to oppose it”.
“Unfortunately, when the Mines Bill was passed, we knew that it is going to result in revenue loss for Tamil Nadu and it is taking away the rights of all the States,” she added. She noted that she had not heard “so much as a word” from the TVK against the legislation.
Referring to the protest over NEET examination issues, she questioned why students in Tamil Nadu were not allowed to protest.
“Finally, they had to choose the Communist party office, which was the only place they were allowed to protest. What is the government’s stand on this?” she questioned.
Asked whether the TVK was trying to play safe, Ms. Kanimozhi said the party was playing a safe game and wanted to remain in the Union government’s good books, with “a little bit of posturing done here and there”.
“Today DMK is not in the government. We hear speeches only about DMK,” she said.
On the “fake narratives” circulating on social media, Ms. Kanimozhi termed the trend “very irresponsible” and said, “We should bring an end to that.”
On women’s safety and law and order in the State, she alleged that violence against women and children had increased over the past 100 days, with nearly 360 cases having been filed. “There are many cases of violence against women and some of them have been charged against TVK workers, functionaries and leaders,” she said, adding that murders had also increased and people were not feeling safe. “What change are they talking about?” she asked.
On the changing political landscape in Tamil Nadu and the DMK’s position on Dravidian principles, Ms. Kanimozhi said the Dravidian movement had brought about significant social and economic changes in the State and contributed to Tamil Nadu’s emergence as a strongly secular society.
She added that the Dravidian movement had consistently fought for State autonomy and federal rights. While Tamil Nadu had come a long way from where the movement had started, “we still have a long way to go” to achieve its goals.
“There is a need for Dravidian parties, which you may call by different names. This is the ideology we need,” she said.
According to her, the challenges facing society might have changed in form, but the need to confront oppression remained. “We have to keep fighting at every stage in its various forms. I think a party with that politics and clarity is necessary,” she added.
She also pointed to emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence and employment. “There are many questions. But Dravidian politics has always engaged with these questions, and our job is there. We are not going to get out of it,” she asserted.
Published – August 17, 2026 08:00 pm IST
