Overview
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin used his New Year address to attack the Union government's National Education Policy, alleging Hindi imposition and objecting to the rural employment guarantee scheme being renamed as "VB G RAM G."
- He urged DMK cadres to organise village-level 'Dravidian Pongal' events featuring sports, arts, and literature competitions to showcase the government's achievements and the Dravidian model's social-justice ethos.
- Stalin framed 2026 as the year a 'Dravidian model 2.0' government would be formed, setting an explicit pre-election mobilisation tone for the party.
- He highlighted 2025 as a successful year for Tamil Nadu, citing recognised GSDP growth and welfare initiatives such as Kalaignar Kanavu Illam, the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, Magalir Urimai Thittam, outreach programmes, and land-rights drives.
- Positioning the DMK as a defender of state rights with allies, he cited moves like releasing a State Education Policy, pushing for greater fiscal devolution, opposing delimitation efforts, and securing a Supreme Court verdict curbing the Governor’s overreach, and he amplified the call on X for equality-focused slogans to start the year.