Tamil Nadu CM and DMK president Stalin has been in direct confrontation with the Centre, Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan, and other Union Ministers on various issues—mostly stemming from growing public frustration with the DMK, a loss of trust, and declining support for the causes he champions. These include state autonomy, retrieval of Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka, imaginary delimitation, Hindi imposition, the TASMAC scam, exemption from NEET, release of Central arrears, and a host of other vexatious matters that cannot be resolved easily. He has also opposed the Waqf Amendment Act.
He has been on a letter-writing spree regarding these matters. While speaking at a gathering organised in Ponneri, Tiruvallur district, on 18 April, Stalin challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying:
“Your formula of breaking political parties in other States, threatening them with raids and then forming governments, will not work in Tamil Nadu. I challenge Shah. Tamil Nadu will never submit to Delhi’s administration. We are unique. Tamils have their own identity. Your strategy of dismantling State parties through raids will not succeed in Tamil Nadu. The Dravidian model of governance will emerge victorious in 2026. Tamil Nadu will always remain outside Delhi’s control.”
Expressing his frustration over the recent strategic alliance between the BJP and AIADMK, Stalin said: “You, who threatened and forced some people here to form an alliance with the BJP, think you can win. Bring all your parivars here; let us see who wins! Look at how you have insulted Tamils. Please turn the pages of history. This land is not one of slaves who submit to bullying (referring to ED and IT raids). The BJP’s political strategy will not work in Tamil Nadu.”
Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, declaring that “no Shah can rule Tamil Nadu” as long as he is in power.
His sharp rebuttal came after Shah claimed that the AIADMK-BJP alliance would win the 2026 state elections and form the government.
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In recent months, several DMK ministers and leaders have been implicated in cases that led to ED and IT raids, with ongoing investigations likely to reach some logical conclusion.
Stalin went on to accuse Opposition parties of acting irresponsibly, implicitly asserting his influence over some of the DMK’s proxies, while accusing them of aligning with anti-Tamil forces and seeking to mortgage the State’s interests.
Simultaneously, Stalin claims that Tamil Nadu is performing well in all departments, including law and order, citing data to support his claims. On issues such as NEET, the three-language formula (under NEP), and delimitation, he asserts that Tamil Nadu has taken a strong national stand. According to him, the DMK represents the voice of State rights across the country.
In what critics describe as a desperate attempt to deflect from serious allegations against the DMK, Stalin portrays his political battle as one being fought on behalf of the entire nation.
Even though he has received responses on several issues, he continues to accuse Amit Shah of diverting attention. Stalin questions why the Union Government has failed to provide proper answers to the people of Tamil Nadu on matters such as NEET exemption, Hindi imposition, allocation of special funds, and delimitation.
Turning his criticism towards Prime Minister Modi—referring to Modi’s recent remarks that Tamil Nadu is “crying for funds”—Stalin said: “You (Modi) were the one who asked whether States are beggars when you were Gujarat CM. You said the Union Government was running a parallel administration through Governors. You accused the Centre of showing partiality in devolution of funds to States. Now you call it ‘crying’. This is not crying—it is asserting our rights. I neither cry nor crawl at anyone’s feet.”
While appearing to be at loggerheads with the Centre, Stalin simultaneously extends a hand of friendship, calling for better relations—even as he presses for Tamil Nadu’s rights.
“Who taught us this? Is it wrong for Tamil Nadu to ask for its rightful share? Because you did nothing, we approached the Supreme Court against the Governor and obtained a historic judgment. The Centre does not want growth in Tamil Nadu and is obstructing it in every possible way. We have broken all shackles and become the Number One State—as per your own ratings. All this has been made possible due to our efficient administration.”
Critics argue that CM Stalin has been making highly provocative and inflammatory speeches. They believe he is trying to provoke the Centre into invoking Article 355 or 356, in hopes of gaining public sympathy. The DMK government is facing a deep financial crisis and a strong wave of anti-incumbency. It has completely failed to fulfil many of the promises made during the 2021 elections. That is why Stalin appears to be daring the PM, HM, and FM to take action—testing the patience of the Centre in multiple ways.
