BJP tries to manipulate voter rolls, lacking confidence in people's mandate, says Udhayanidhi Stalin
Asked about trouble within the AIADMK, Udhayanidhi refused to comment. Still, he reiterated, "This is exactly why I had said earlier that Edappadi K Palaniswami should continue as the permanent general secretary."
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin (PTI)
CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday accused the BJP-led Union government of "manipulating democracy" by using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the Election Commission to "engineer a selective voter cleansing" ahead of upcoming elections in the State.
Speaking to reporters after flagging off the MRT1 Chargebee Chennai Runs 2025 marathon from the Napier Bridge, Udhayanidhi alleged that the BJP was "retaining favourable voters and removing unfavourable ones" across states. "Wherever elections are approaching, the BJP is openly engaging in activities that favour its prospects. They are using the SIR process to remove voters who may oppose them. In Tamil Nadu, they can never win through people's mandate, and that is why they are resorting to such tactics," he charged.
He said an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister MK Stalin would deliberate on the issue, adding that media reports had already exposed irregularities in Bihar. "We will hear all political parties before taking a collective stand," he said.
Asked about trouble within the AIADMK, Udhayanidhi refused to comment. Still, he reiterated, "This is exactly why I had said earlier that Edappadi K Palaniswami should continue as the permanent general secretary."
Udhayanidhi also said the government had made extensive monsoon preparedness measures, with civic and PWD departments executing road patchwork and flood-mitigation works across districts. Responding to queries on the recent Enforcement Directorate letter to the TN DGP, on an alleged job scam in the Municipal Administration Department, he said, "The concerned Minister has already replied. We are prepared to face any inquiry as per the law."
When asked about actor Ajith Kumar's remarks on the Karur tragedy, Udhayanidhi said, "The Chief Minister has already spoken. The CBI inquiry is ongoing, and I do not wish to comment further. Whatever Ajith says is his personal opinion, and I respect that."
