PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a BJP public meeting at Madurantakam in Chengalpattu district on Friday. | Photo credit: R. RAGU
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AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday said the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls will be the last election for the DMK as the people of Tamil Nadu will end the “family rule” of the ruling party.
Addressing a mega public meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at Madurantakam in Chengalpattu district, which was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Palaniswami said that since the DMK came to power, it had caused many problems to the people.
“DMK’s only success has been corruption. (Former chief minister and DMK patriarch) Karunanidhi family has looted Tamil Nadu. Now they are trying to push Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin to (take) leadership roles,” he said. “But the Karunanidhi family can no longer come to power. This will be the last election for the DMK… NDA is a winning and strong alliance. In this election, the people of Tamil Nadu will end the DMK family rule,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
He also accused the DMK government of holding back the ₹14,000 crore Nadanthaai Vaazhi Cauvery Centre’s programme.
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary TTV Dhinakaran said his party has wholeheartedly joined the NDA by putting aside past differences to oust the “anti-people” DMK from power and for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. He assured Mr. Modi and Mr. Palaniswami that his party workers would work hard for the victory of the alliance.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said, “Today (Friday) marks the beginning of the end of the DMK government. He claimed that “the DMK government is corrupt, anti-people with zero governance and zero administration. It has failed to keep and fulfill its survey promises”.
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran has urged the cadres of the alliance partners to work hard for the victory of the combine in the upcoming assembly elections.
EPS-TTV bonhomie
The rally also marked the first public appearance of Mr. Palaniswami and Mr. Dhinakaran together since they parted ways in 2017. The two leaders greeted each other on stage.
Union Minister Pyishas Goyal, Ram Megwal, L. Mrurugan; former AIADMI Minister; BJP senior leadership; TMC(M) Vasanu President; IJK IJK TR Pari. New Justy Patty from AC Shanmumam; Mannanega Makaltra Kazhagam Disciple John John; adorchi Bharatchi flat M. If it is not sleep.
Shortly after sharing the dais with Mr. Dhinakaran, a long-time bitter rival-turned-friend, Mr. Palaniswami said, “We are children brought up by Amma (Jayalalithaa). There were differences, but once we reunited, we forgot everything. Our common goal is to fulfill Amma’s mission and remove this (DMK) corrupt regime.”
At a joint media conference, Mr Palaniswami said there was no confusion in the NDA.
Referring to his ties with the AIADMK, Mr. Dhinakaran said, “This (rivalry) was a family affair; a misunderstanding between people who were once united as children of one mother.”
He also denied joining the NDA under duress (as he was facing a CBI case). He said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had asked him to help defeat the DMK and the alliance was formed only after Mr. Palaniswami gave his approval. “There was no pressure or threat. Just as Edappadi anna and I were brothers till 2017, we have come together again in the same spirit,” he said.
Published – 24 Jan 2026 0:48 IST
