TIRUCHIRAPPALLI: Launching a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition AIADMK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday asserted that his party would not allow the “saffron crowd” to “swallow” the southern state.
Addressing a mega party conference in Tiruchirappalli, Stalin’s speech was a forceful articulation of the DMK’s ideological position and a sharp critique of its political rivals ahead of crucial political battles.
‘Saffron Crowd’ Targeting Tamil Nadu
In his address, Stalin made an obvious reference to the BJP, warning against its growing influence in the state.
“A ‘Saffron crowd’ wants to ‘swallow’ Tamil Nadu. The DMK will not allow it to happen,” the Chief Minister declared to a cheering crowd of party workers.
He further alleged that to achieve its goal of winning over the state, the BJP was gradually “swallowing” the AIADMK, its former alliance partner in the state.
Scathing Attack on AIADMK’s EPS
Stalin reserved some of his harshest words for his direct political rival, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) .
He accused Palaniswami of becoming a “slave” to the BJP, suggesting that the AIADMK leader was compromising his party’s autonomy in a desperate bid to become Chief Minister again. This attack is aimed at highlighting the perceived dependency of the AIADMK on the BJP’s national leadership.
Drawing Parallels with Bihar
The DMK president also drew a parallel with recent political developments in North India, specifically referencing Bihar.
Stalin pointed out that Bihar has never had a BJP Chief Minister. He noted that after the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar won the state election, the party was projected as the leader. “Now they have sidelined him,” Stalin said, referring to Kumar’s recent move to the Rajya Sabha and the subsequent installation of a BJP-led government in the state.
The implication was clear: a similar fate could await the AIADMK if it continues its alliance with the BJP in Tamil Nadu.
Context of the Conference
The mega conference in Tiruchirappalli serves as a significant show of strength for the DMK. Stalin’s aggressive rhetoric underscores the party’s strategy to consolidate its core Dravidian voter base by framing the upcoming political contest as a fight to protect Tamil Nadu’s identity and autonomy from the “saffron” ideology of the BJP.
