Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Announces International Vallalar Conference in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has made a significant announcement regarding the commemoration of saint Vallalar while simultaneously launching a blistering political attack on the BJP-led Union government. In a dual-pronged statement delivered on Sunday, Stalin revealed plans for an international conference dedicated to spreading the ideals of saint Vallalar across global platforms.
International Vallalar Conference Scheduled for February 15
The Chief Minister confirmed that an international conference on saint Vallalar will be held on February 15, 2026 in Chennai. This prestigious event aims to propagate Vallalar's philosophical teachings and humanitarian principles to an international audience. Stalin emphasized that the conference is being organized with the specific intention of taking Vallalar's progressive ideals across geographical boundaries.
The conference will take place on the premises of Ekambaranathar School in Kilpauk, Chennai. In a related development, Stalin announced that the Thiruvottiyur Highway in Chennai will be renamed in honor of Vallalar, further cementing the saint's legacy in the city's infrastructure.
Stalin highlighted his government's previous efforts in preserving Vallalar's heritage, noting that the DMK government had organized Vallalar's 200th anniversary celebrations in a grand manner. Additionally, the historical house of Vallalar located in Maruthur, Cuddalore district has been meticulously restored under the state's cultural preservation initiatives.
Stalin's Scathing Critique of BJP-Led Central Government
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Chennai, Chief Minister Stalin launched a comprehensive political offensive against the ruling BJP government at the Centre. He characterized the BJP as an "octopus" that is systematically weakening India's federal structure through excessive centralization of power.
"The BJP is an octopus stretching its tentacles everywhere," Stalin declared. "It is destroying institutions built over decades, exploiting state resources and centralizing power. It does not want states to be empowered."
The Chief Minister accused the BJP of undermining India's celebrated diversity by aggressively pushing what he described as a "one nation, one religion, one language" agenda. He alleged that the party is promoting authoritarian and communal politics while misusing central investigative agencies and financial powers to control opposition-ruled states.
Political Landscape and Electoral Projections
Stalin confidently addressed the upcoming electoral landscape, mocking the BJP's "double engine" governance narrative by referring to it as a "dubba engine" that Tamil Nadu neither requires nor desires. He cited recent surveys indicating that the DMK-led front commands approximately 45% vote share, though he expressed belief that their actual support base exceeds these projections.
"Our electoral success would be a victory for the entire country as it would give hope that BJP can be defeated," Stalin asserted, positioning the DMK's potential victory as a national democratic milestone.
The Chief Minister specifically targeted the opposition AIADMK, accusing it of complete surrender to the BJP. "The AIADMK is no longer an independent party; it has become another branch of the BJP," he claimed. He particularly criticized AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for what he characterized as unrealistic poll promises regarding rural employment guarantee schemes.
Call for Democratic Unity and Grassroots Mobilization
Stalin emphasized that only a broad democratic front rooted in social justice can effectively counter what he described as authoritarian, communal, and fascist tendencies in contemporary Indian politics. He clarified that the unity of the DMK-led alliance is fundamentally based on ideological coherence rather than mere numerical calculations.
The Chief Minister concluded with a strategic directive to alliance partners, urging them to begin grassroots campaigning immediately and cautioning against any complacency that might arise from favorable survey numbers. He stressed the importance of sustained political engagement at the community level to secure electoral success.
The event was attended by prominent political figures including CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, and CPM state secretary P Shanmugam, demonstrating significant opposition unity in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
