CHENNAI: Rebutting Chief Minister M K Stalin for his criticism of the AIADMK’s silence over derogatory remarks made against Dravidian icons Thanthai Periyar and CN Annadurai at the Hindu Munnani’s Murugan Manadu, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the party would never relinquish its connection to Anna “not just in name or symbol, but in spirit and blood.”
Taking to social media to counter Stalin’s sharp remarks made during a government event in Tirupur, Palaniswami questioned whether the DMK or its leader had the moral authority even to utter Anna’s name. “It was the DMK that betrayed Anna’s legacy,” he charged.
Asserting his commitment to TN’s development, Palaniswami declared, “I will restore the State’s rights and prosperity. This is my first poll promise to the people for the 2026 Assembly elections.”
Responding to Stalin’s jibe at the AIADMK, the Leader of Opposition said, “It was the DMK, under Karunanidhi and now Stalin, that has pawned Anna’s legacy for political gain. Karunanidhi hijacked the movement Anna built, buried its ideology, and converted the DMK into a dynastic vehicle. That betrayal led Anna’s devoted follower MG Ramachandran to form the AIADMK in a bid to resurrect the ideals of his leader, ” he said
Accusing the DMK of compromising TN’s interests on key issues, including Katchatheevu, Palaniswami said the State’s rights, peace, and prosperity had all been lost under the current regime. “I guarantee that I will restore what has been taken from the people,” he declared, adding, “This is my first promise for the 2026 Assembly polls.”