DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin greeting supporters at an election campaign meeting in Dindigul on Friday. | Photo Credit: G. KARTHIKEYAN

Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Friday referred to the defeat of the Delimitation Bill in Parliament and said that even before the elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had to bite the dust. Addressing an election campaign meeting in Dindigul and canvassing votes for the DMK-led alliance’s candidates, he said this was a historic win which would be spoken about even after a 100 years. Mr. Stalin said he had come to Dindigul with news of victory and celebrations. He also burst crackers to celebrate the defeat of the Bill. “Tamil Nadu has started the downfall of the ‘arrogant’ BJP. I had earlier said Tamil Nadu would fight and Tamil Nadu would win. Today, Tamil Nadu has won. The opposition parties asked if it was possible by protesting. Now, we have shown them,” he said. Stating this was not enough for them, Mr. Stalin said the real blow would be delivered by the people on April 23, the election day. “The first step towards the removal of the saffron stain across India will also begin from Tamil Nadu,” he remarked. According to him, this was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s biggest loss. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami too has suffered a loss. “They had thought that it was election time in Tamil Nadu, and the State would be careless. However, Tamil Nadu is always alert,” he said. “The fire lit by Stalin has burnt the arrogance of Delhi,” he said. “Our fight had resulted in victory. The black shirt team has defeated the saffron team. The BJP’s attempt has been defeated. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I thank the parties and the people who supported us,” he said, adding that there was no clarity over how the Bills would be implemented. Mr. Stalin recalled that the DMK had introduced reservation for women in local bodies. “We will fight till our last breath for the people of Tamil Nadu and our rights,” he said. He pointed out that Mr. Palaniswami was in an alliance with a party that was against Tamil Nadu, its people, and their rights. Hailing Dindigul as a place of valour, Mr. Stalin introduced the DMK-led alliance’s candidates. DMK candidates I. Periyasamy (Athoor), R. Sakkarapani (Oddanchatram), I.P. Senthilkumar (Dindigul), S. Nagajothi (Nilakottai), T. Saminathan (Vedasandur), alliance party candidates N. Pandi of the CPI(M) (Palani) and K. Selvakumar of the Tamilar Desam Katchi (Natham) were present at the campaign meeting. Mr. Stalin appealed to people to vote for the Secular Progressive Alliance candidates and highlighted various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects completed in the district.

Published - April 18, 2026 12:00 am IST