Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 11 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday laid down clear guidelines for the DMK’s electoral alliance with the Congress and other partners, firmly ruling out any power-sharing arrangement in governance as the state prepares for Assembly elections later this year.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Stalin dismissed demands from sections within the Congress seeking ministerial berths in a future DMK-led government, asserting that the concept of “share in governance” does not apply to Tamil Nadu.
“A share in governance is a demand that does not apply to Tamil Nadu. They know it better than us. That slogan is nothing but a calculated conspiracy by those who cannot stand to see us united,” Stalin said.
Despite ruling out shared governance, the Chief Minister made it clear that the Congress would continue as a key ally of the DMK in the upcoming elections.
“Congress will certainly remain in the DMK alliance. Our alliance is cordial. It is the media that is deliberately creating certain unnecessary perceptions,” he added.
Stalin underlined his personal relationship with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a cornerstone of the alliance, noting that Gandhi has played an active role in maintaining unity within the INDIA bloc, including holding discussions with DMK MP Kanimozhi.
“Rahul Gandhi is like a brother to me; he is a member of my family. He too has said this many times. Our relationship goes beyond politics,” Stalin said.
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai also reiterated that the DMK-Congress alliance was firmly in place and described it as “extremely strong.” He confirmed that formal seat-sharing talks would begin on February 22, following the conclusion of the Assembly session.
“The INDIA alliance is very strong. The DMK-led alliance is an extremely strong alliance. The people have already given a certificate that this government will continue. There is no doubt that we will secure consecutive victories,” Selvaperunthagai told reporters at Chennai airport.
Thanking Chief Minister Stalin for initiating constituency-sharing discussions, Selvaperunthagai said the move would allow alliance partners to begin grassroots-level campaign work without delay.
“We placed this request only with the intention that our alliance partners should immediately take the lead as primary field workers. The alliance talks scheduled for the 22nd will conclude successfully,” he said.
He also launched a sharp attack on AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of surrendering Tamil Nadu’s rights on issues such as GST, the UDAY power scheme, and the NEET examination, and alleged that he was now aligning with the BJP at the cost of the state’s interests.
“Edappadi Palaniswami is ready to bend and sign for whatever the BJP says. This is the difference between their alliance and ours,” Selvaperunthagai said.
Meanwhile, at the conclave, Stalin highlighted Tamil Nadu’s economic performance, stating that the state has achieved double-digit growth and that its per capita income exceeds the national growth rate of 1.74 percent.
He noted that Tamil Nadu has received recognition from the Union Government for the effective implementation of development schemes, pointing out that the Centre has announced the state’s ‘Thozhi Hostel Scheme’ in the current Union Budget.
However, Stalin alleged that despite the DMK government’s welfare initiatives, Tamil Nadu has faced neglect from the Centre in financial devolution, special schemes, and railway projects.
“In this year’s Budget, Tamil Nadu has received zero,” he asserted.
Criticising the NDA, Stalin rejected its description as a “double-engine” government, calling it a “defective engine,” and accused the BJP of thriving on subservience and slander.
He further stated that the BJP’s “fascism” would not succeed in Tamil Nadu and assured that the state would secure the justice and funds it rightfully deserves. (ANI)
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