With growing criticism against Chief Minister M K Stalin over his recent tour to Delhi to attend the Niti Aayog meeting — his first since 2021 — and amid accusations from AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami that the visit was aimed at shielding his son Udhayanidhi Stalin from central agency probes, the DMK supremo has now been compelled to reach out directly to his party cadre. Seeking to calm unrest within the party and stave off further speculation, Stalin has issued a letter to DMK members, asserting his commitment to the party’s ideology and preparing the ground for the 2026 State Assembly elections.
“DMK will never compromise on its ideology or state rights,” Stalin declared, addressing concerns that his Delhi visit signalled a softening stance towards the BJP-led Centre.
After attending the Niti Aayog meet and holding meetings with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders during his Delhi stay, Stalin broke his silence through this epistle — a marked shift from his consistent boycott of the annual meet for the past three years. In the letter, he clarified that the central government’s refusal to release due funds, its neglect of Tamil Nadu’s interests, and its misuse of agencies like ED, CBI, and IT had previously kept him away. Dismissing opposition charges, he reiterated that the visit was to press for the state’s rights — not a backroom deal to save his son.
In a show of resolve, Stalin declared: “I am ready to meet you (DMK cadres) at the General Council meeting on June 1st in Madurai, where we will set the course for a victorious 2026 campaign. Are you ready?”
Explaining the challenges DMK has faced, Stalin said, “No other political party has been targeted like the DMK. Central agencies have tried to intimidate us, but we never bowed. We fought back legally. Why should we compromise with the BJP-led Centre over cases filed during the AIADMK regime?”
Stalin said, “At the Niti Aayog, I reminded the PM that Tamil Nadu contributes 10% to the nation’s growth — and we are aiming for 15%. The Dravidian Model government is working tirelessly to achieve this.”
On being accused of signalling surrender, Stalin retorted at the Delhi airport: “There is no white flag or saffron flag with me — like the one EPS has with him.”
Despite his defence, critics remain unsparing. TVK leader and actor Vijay said Stalin’s Delhi visit was “motivated by selfish and family interests.” YouTuber Savukku Shankar asked, “Did you not deem national interest important over the past four years? Why the sudden concern now?”
TVK leader and actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, in a post on X, said, “Stalin’s visit to Delhi was only for selfish goals and family interests.”
”குடும்பச் சுயநலத்திற்காக..” – முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் டெல்லி பயணம் குறித்து விஜய் காட்டமான விமர்சனம்!#TVKVijay #CMMKStalin #NITIAayog #DelhiVisit #tnpoliticshttps://t.co/jyq23wwAp3
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) May 25, 2025
YouTuber Savukku Shankar questioned, “Did you not deem the nation’s interest important in the past four years? Why the sudden interest now?”
4 வருசமா நாட்டு நலன் உங்களுக்கு முக்கியமா படலயா ? @mkstalin https://t.co/9S5cHoVhvP
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) May 25, 2025
He was responding to Stalin’s remarks that political stance is different, and cooperation with the Centre on national interest is different. Stalin explained why he had attended the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi.
A netizen mocked in a post, “Our CM is going to Delhi for his son. Why doesn’t he visit Kerala or Karnataka to settle various issues, including the Cauvery water issue and the proposed Mekedatu dam and Mullaperiyar dam issues with these states?”
மகனுக்கா டெல்லி செல்லும் எங்கள் முதல்வர்….
மக்களுக்காக ஏன் கர்நாடக, கேரளா செல்ல மறுக்கிறார் 🤔#சரணடைந்த_ஸ்டாலின் #திருட்டு_திமுக #TVKVijay pic.twitter.com/3oYSuEfqBj
— Tamizharasu🧊🔥 (@tony_tamizh) May 25, 2025
In response to a query, Stalin told reporters at Delhi airport regarding the Supreme Court’s remarks on ED raids, “They are all politically motivated… we will face it.”
உதயநிதி அவர்களின் கூட்டாளிகளான ரத்தீஷும், ஆகாஷ் பாஸ்கரனும் இன்று வரை தலைமறைவாக உள்ளது ஏன்? @Udhaystalin pic.twitter.com/5AOMZuzgbQ
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) May 25, 2025
Tamil Nadu BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran questioned, “If Udhayanidhi Stalin or the DMK is not afraid of the ED or other raids, why did they appeal to the Supreme Court to stall the probe? Why are his friend Rithish and relative Akash Baskaran absconding? Will he explain the reasons for their evasion of the ED probe?”
