Udhayanidhi Stalin Escalates Political Offensive Against AIADMK-BJP Alliance in Pudukkottai
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday intensified his political assault on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and the AIADMK-BJP alliance, firmly asserting that the AIADMK had effectively "surrendered" to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Campaigning vigorously across multiple constituencies in Pudukkottai district, Udhayanidhi addressed a series of public meetings at Viralimalai, Pudukkottai, Alangudi, and Thirumayam, delivering sharp critiques of his political opponents.
Targeted Allegations and Campaign Rhetoric
At the Viralimalai gathering, Udhayanidhi displayed a photograph depicting EPS, as Palaniswami is commonly known, bowing at the feet of V K Sasikala, using it to underscore his point about political subservience. He emphasized that securing victory in the Viralimalai constituency was "more important than any other," including his own electoral success, highlighting the strategic significance of the region.
Turning his attention to former minister and MLA C Vijayabaskar, Udhayanidhi accused him of engaging in a "theatrical performance" during election seasons and alleged connections to illicit activities, further ramping up the political temperature in the district.
Broader Political Accusations and Welfare Promises
Udhayanidhi launched a broader attack on the BJP, claiming that the party had forged alliances by leveraging central investigative agencies to exert pressure on regional political entities. "We must not allow BJP to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu," he declared, positioning the DMK as a bulwark against external political influence.
In contrast, he highlighted the welfare initiatives of the DMK government, noting that laptops had been distributed to 10 lakh students and pledging to extend this program to 35 lakh students if the party is re-elected. He also took pointed jabs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the central government of failing to deliver welfare schemes effectively to Tamil Nadu, thereby framing the election as a choice between local development and central neglect.
