AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami | Photo credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B.
The ruling DMK on Thursday slammed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for his comments on its alliance partners and termed them “unnecessary”. Senior party leader and state Transport Minister SS Sivasankar also criticized the AIADMK, stating that the party’s future would be similar to the situation of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar in Bihar and also the Shiv Sena and the NCP in Maharashtra and the state of regional parties in Goa that were “swallowed” by the BJP while in alliance with them.
Ridiculing Palaniswami for criticizing Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a key ally of the DMK, Sivasankar said, “VCK is a party that has grown step by step by facing challenges in the electoral field.” “Their leader Thol Thirumavalavan proves his victory in the elections every time and today he is recognized by our leader.” “Palaniswami criticizes this alliance which has such good relations. In his alliance, Palaniswami has not only given more seats to the BJP than the last time, but a situation has emerged where many parties are competing under the BJP symbol which is Lotus,” he told reporters.
Besides the BJP, the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), Thamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK) and Pudhiya Neethi Katchi were contesting under the BJP’s lotus symbol, Sivasankar said.
“Palaniswami has ceded a very big space in Tamil Nadu to Lotus, which secured a position below NOTA in the last elections,” he said.
“He is repeatedly making it clear that the future of AIADMK will be the same situation that happened to Nitish Kumar in Bihar, the situation faced by the Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar parties in Maharashtra and the state of regional parties in Goa that were absorbed by the BJP while in alliance with them,” he said.
Responding to Palaniswami’s claims that the DMK had neglected development in Chennai, party leader and state minister PK Sekar Babu said, “Under the Chief Minister’s (MK Stalin) leadership, the magnificent Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam (Northern Chennai Development Scheme) was launched.” According to him, the scheme has improved the quality of life in north Chennai where drinking water, smooth flow of sewage and uninterrupted power supply are provided.
“Public schools have been improved on par with private schools,” he told reporters here.
Regarding the city’s infrastructure, the Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments said that new stormwater drains spanning several kilometers have been installed in Chennai.
He also cited here the inauguration of a bridge at T Nagar to ease traffic congestion.
Recalling Palaniswami’s claim in the 2021 elections that Rs 1,000 crore was spent on stormwater drains, Sekar Babu alleged that despite that, Chennai has suffered during the first heavy rains.
“A committee was formed and based on the recommendations, stormwater structures were constructed and as a result of cleaning ponds, lakes and canals, the government prevented flooding and raised groundwater levels in the city,” he said.
Posted on March 26, 2026