Ahead of the State Assembly elections due next March, the General Council meeting of the DMK assumes significance. It adopted—or re-adopted—several resolutions reaffirming its traditional demands, including self-rule, resistance to becoming a stooge of the BJP, opposition to the imposition of Hindi, rejection of constituency delimitation, and the retrieval of Katchatheevu (which was handed over to Sri Lanka jointly by Congress and DMK leaders).
It is understood that this was the first Executive Council meeting held in Madurai in 47 years, highlighting the DMK’s renewed focus on southern districts—an area where the BJP is reportedly gaining traction. This is attributed to a growing consolidation of Hindu voters who are reacting to the DMK’s perceived Hindu-phobic rhetoric, temple demolitions, failure to greet Hindus on their festivals, and disparaging comments on Hindu deities.
It is understood that this was the first Executive Council meeting held in Madurai in 47 years, highlighting the DMK’s renewed focus on southern districts—an area where the BJP is reportedly gaining traction. This is attributed to a growing consolidation of Hindu voters who are reacting to the DMK’s perceived Hindu-phobic rhetoric, temple demolitions, failure to greet Hindus on their festivals, and disparaging comments on Hindu deities.
Moreover, a notable departure from tradition was the choice of venue the Madurai, the temple city of the state. The event took place on June 1, ahead of the grand Murugan festival scheduled for June 22, which is expected to draw over 5 lakh Hindus. This is seen as a symbolic move to showcase Hindu unity and to launch an agitation to protect Thiruparankundram—one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan—from being renamed ‘Sikandar Hill’ by certain Muslim fundamentalist groups and anti-India, anti-Hindu fringe outfits. This agitation is being likened to an Ayodhya-style movement in southern India, beyond the Vindhyas.
The Council meet held on a sprawling 90-acre site in Uthangudi, witnessed the DMK functionaries read out the resolutions one by one, all of which were seconded and unanimously passed without debate or opposition. Over 10,000 General Council members, special invitees, and office-bearers from various party wings—including CM MK Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, MPs, MLAs and senior functionaries—were in attendance.
A sumptuous spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, prepared by over 1,000 cooks and served by 1,600 support staff, was arranged to cater to the party cadres. The food—lavish, aromatic and unlimited—was described as a once-in-a-lifetime indulgence for many attendees. It is also reported that liquor was consumed by some cadres during the event.
Among the 27 resolutions passed, several praised the achievements of the DMK-led government under Chief Minister MK Stalin. The party declared that June 3, the birth anniversary of the late leader M. Karunanidhi, will be celebrated annually as “Classical Tamil Day” across the state. Stalin was hailed as the “people’s choice” and a symbol of electoral success.
One prominent resolution strongly condemned the Modi-led NDA government at the Centre for allegedly depriving Tamil Nadu of its rightful financial allocations. Another demanded greater state autonomy, including restoring education to the State List and conducting a caste-based census.
The DMK also opposed any delimitation of constituencies based solely on population, warning that such a move would diminish Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament. Another resolution lauded the Supreme Court’s verdict curtailing the powers of Governors, attributing this success to MK Stalin’s legal and political advocacy.
The Council reiterated its commitment to the “Dravidian Model” of governance, applauding its work in uplifting women and marginalised communities, including farmers, weavers, and fishermen. In a political tone, it passed resolutions criticising the BJP-led Union government for failing to lift restrictions on jewel loans, delaying educational and developmental funds, neglecting Tamil Nadu in railway projects, and politicising the Keeladi archaeological site.
The DMK also expressed unequivocal support for Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, referring to him as the “hope for Tamil Nadu’s future”. It accused the Union government of withholding rightful state funds, imposing Hindi, rejecting Tamil heritage through Keeladi, ignoring the state in railway allocations, misusing investigative agencies, and disrespecting the Constitution and judiciary.
A specific resolution urged the Reserve Bank of India to immediately lift the cap on jewel loans, terming it a burden on the poor and working classes. Another resolution condemned what the party described as the imposition of Hindi and urged the Centre to stop “tampering with the linguistic sentiments of Tamils”.
In perhaps the most politically significant resolution, the DMK called for immediate groundwork to “drive out the deceitful BJP and the treacherous AIADMK” in the 2026 Assembly elections, capitalising on perceived public dissent. It pledged to continue welfare schemes and protect Tamil Nadu’s distinct identity and rights within the Indian Union. The Council also praised the recent verdict by a Mahila court in the Pollachi gang rape case.
Finally, the DMK announced the formation of two new wings—one for physically handicapped persons and another for educationists.
