CHENNAI: The 2026 Assembly election is not just a “political election” but an election for the Tamil race to safeguard itself, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetram Kazhagam (DMK) president M.K. Stalin.
Speaking at the function marking the valedictory of the centenary of the Self-Respect Movement organized by the Dravidar Kazhagam at Maraimalai Nagar in Chengalpattu district on Saturday, Stalin said the DMK would name its next government as ‘Dravidian Model 2.0’ rule, he said, pointing to the alleged irritation that the mention of the term was causing to many people.
While the DMK srehabilitated the State from the ruination caused by the 10 year misrule of the AIADMK and put it on the road of prosperity, the BJP, which was opposed to Dravidian ideology, along with the AIADMK that did not know what Dravidian Ideology was, wanted to push the State back to the old state of ruin, he said.
“We are walking on an unprecedented path of development. Yet, the BJP, which is opposed to Dravidian ideals, and the AIADMK, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who had said he ‘doesn’t even know what Dravidianism means’, are plotting again to seize power,” Stalin said.
“We must uproot and defeat this [National Democratic Alliance] coalition that seeks to destroy Tamil Nadu. Only our alliance has the ideological clarity, the fighting spirit, sense of unity, and policies,” he said.
Stating that the DMK was just an “extension of the Dravidar Kazhagam”, the DMK supremo alleged that there was a conspiracy to undo all the social reforms ushered in by the Self-Respect movement. He said that electing the DMK again in the 2026 Assembly election would alone prevent the attempt being made to take the State, nay the entire nation, back by a century.
“A person who has inculcated rationalism and self-respect and wears a black shirt has the ability to lead an entire village,” he said.
“Perarignar Anna said the DMK was founded, not against the DK, but to implement its ideals in politics. When Periyar was active, he was subjected to attacks by some who threw slippers, stones and even knives. Today, Periyar’s ideas are being hailed at the Oxford University. I was elated to unveil his picture at Oxford University,” Stalin poibted out.
The Chief Minister said the DMK would contribute to Periyar Ulagam, which was being built at Siruganur near Tiruchi. “How can the DMK not contribute to it? We are what we are because of Periyar and a month’s salary of the party’s 126 MLAs and 31 MPs will be contributed for the construction of Periyar Ulagam,” he said.
He highlighted a few initiatives of his Dravidian Model government that have moved Tamil society forward in thought. DK president K. Veeramani, and Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises T.M. Anbarasan were among those present.
