CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday indicated victory in the upcoming Assembly elections, stating that while 2025 was a victorious year for the government, 2026 would also deliver a huge mandate in its favour.
Recalling the government's achievements in 2025, the Chief Minister said they were not mere hype. He described 2025 as a year of growth for Tamils and the Tamil language. He said the State earned recognition through its economic performance and Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth, adding that these achievements would strengthen Tamil Nadu's dream of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress made in 2025, Stalin said the government had implemented several welfare schemes benefiting women, farmers, students, persons with disabilities, fishermen, sportspersons and other sections of society, including various loan waiver initiatives.
"These achievements show that the Dravidian model government is working for the people. Schemes such as the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Scheme and the distribution of pattas to the downtrodden have ensured housing and land rights. People's basic needs and medical assistance are being fulfilled through initiatives like Ungaludan Stalin and Nalam Kakkum Stalin, " he said.
Referring to protests against the Union government, the Chief Minister said 2025 also witnessed several agitations, particularly on issues such as constituency reclassification, the demand for a State Education Policy instead of the National Education Policy, raising voices for adequate education funds, and securing a historic judgment against the Governor.
The year 2025 has proved that Tamil Nadu will fight and will not bow to anybody. We are moving towards the great victory year of 2026, carrying the energy of our past agitations. The people of Tamil Nadu will deliver that victory. The year 2026 will be filled with peace, happiness and new victories,
CM Stalin
CM Stalin, through his New Year message, launched a fresh attack on the Centre over the National Education Policy (NEP) and other issues, while urging DMK cadres to organise 'Dravidian Pongal' celebrations as part of preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections.
Stalin said the DMK had been waging a determined struggle against what he described as attempts by the BJP-led Union government to undermine the interests of Tamil Nadu. In a letter addressed to party members, he said the past five years had been marked by a sustained fight to protect the State's rights.
"The DMK stands as a guardian of Indian democracy, with our allies firmly by our side. With a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, we are on the battlefield for rights," Stalin said, underlining the party's confrontational stance towards the Centre.
The Chief Minister criticised the Union government for what he termed as attempts to impose Hindi through the NEP and for renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme as VB G RAM G. He said safeguarding public welfare and countering the "strategies" of political opponents remained the DMK's top priorities.
Calling for greater grassroots mobilisation, Stalin urged party cadres to begin celebrating Pongal as a festival of social justice from New Year's Day.
Governor RN Ravi extended his New Year greetings: "On the joyous eve of the New Year, warm greetings and best wishes to all! May the dawn of 2026 usher in renewed optimism, possibilities and strengthened resolve, filling our lives with happiness, good health and prosperity. Let us reaffirm our collective resolve to uphold unity and social harmony and move forward together to build a sustainable and inclusive Viksit Bharat."