Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M.K. Stalin on Saturday (June 13, 2026) said that the “shopping of AIADMK MLAs” by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay had raised doubts about whether he had faith in his own government or in the parties that had extended support to it.

“First, he made the AIADMK MLAs vote to save his government. Now, he has made them resign their MLA posts and join his party. This only brings to mind the similar strategy adopted by the BJP in other States. He is functioning like a photocopy of the BJP. The political parties that helped him now face an embarrassing situation,” former CM Stalin said while addressing a meeting organised by the party’s women’s wing, led by M. Kanimozhi.

He said democratic forces should question the decision of the AIADMK MLAs to resign even before the indelible ink on their fingers had dried.

“Only a few members in a political party get an opportunity to contest elections, and a large number of party cadres work for their victory. But these MLAs have resigned their posts unmindful of these factors and have chosen to support another party,” the DMK chief said.

Mr. Stalin said democratic forces should also question what the MLAs had received in return for joining the TVK.

“The ruling party has subjected democracy to ridicule. Though the Chief Minister advises others to remain confident, he himself does not seem to have confidence. That is why he is poaching MLAs from another party,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said one should not remain silent when the State was witnessing incidents such as hacking attacks and petrol bomb incidents.

“A government can be given time to fulfil its promises. But we cannot remain silent without speaking about the issues affecting the security of people,” he said.

Recalling Mr. Vijay’s allegation that the DMK had prostrated before the BJP and that Mr. Stalin had been asked to stand prominently for a group photograph in Delhi, Mr. Stalin said he wanted to know whether Mr. Vijay had gone to Delhi to escape the case filed by the CBI in connection with the stampede during his visit to Karur.

“Are you afraid that your government will be in trouble if you criticise the BJP? But I will not degrade myself by posing such a question to a Chief Minister merely for attending an official government meeting,” he said.