Overview

• Speaking at the DMK’s Mupperum Vizha in Karur, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin projected a 2026 victory and positioned the contest as a defence of state rights.
• Stalin accused the Centre of Hindi imposition, refusal to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET, withholding education funds and downplaying Keeladi findings, and he said Tamil Nadu is a no‑entry zone for the BJP.
• He alleged that Edappadi K. Palaniswami has yielded to BJP pressure to avoid central raids, mocked the kerchief episode, and took an indirect swipe at actor‑politician Vijay.
• Palaniswami, after meeting Amit Shah in New Delhi, said the BJP would not interfere in AIADMK affairs, called himself the party’s final authority, dismissed the kerchief row, and maintained the BJP alliance.
• Internal strains in AIADMK persisted with KA Sengottaiyan removed from posts, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram calling the party a BJP subsidiary, and a BJP youth leader attacking Vijay as an unclear newcomer.