EPS dismisses CM Stalin’s 2026 Assembly election target as a ‘daydream’

Chennai: AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) dismissed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s claim that the DMK-led coalition would secure over 200 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, calling it a "daydream".

Speaking at the wedding of Arakkonam MLA S. Ravi’s son, Palaniswami stated, “Stalin is daydreaming when he claims his alliance will win more than 200 Assembly seats in the next polls. In reality, it will be the AIADMK-led front that forms the next Tamil Nadu government after 2026.”

He further emphasised that more political parties would soon align with the AIADMK coalition, strengthening its position ahead of the elections.

During its tenure from 2016 to 2021, the AIADMK government, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, oversaw the creation of six new districts in Tamil Nadu, including Ranipet and Tirupattur, which were carved out of Vellore. Palaniswami credited these administrative divisions with improving governance and facilitating development in underdeveloped regions.

The former Chief Minister also highlighted key educational initiatives undertaken by the AIADMK, such as the establishment of 11 new medical colleges, six law colleges, and additional engineering and agricultural institutions aimed at expanding educational access across the state.

"On the contrary, the DMK government is merely relaunching our schemes under new names by pasting their stickers on them,” he alleged.

Palaniswami questioned the DMK’s 2021 poll promise to build check dams worth Rs 2,000 crore across Tamil Nadu. “How many check dams has the DMK government built so far? Every monsoon, excess rainwater simply drains into the sea due to poor planning,” he said.

Palaniswami criticised the DMK government for discontinuing key pro-poor initiatives launched by the AIADMK, including Amma Clinics and the Kudimaramathu project, which enabled farmers to desilt local water waterbodies. He emphasised that this initiative not only improved water storage capacity but also provided nutrient-rich silt for farmlands.

Highlighting AIADMK’s landmark policy, he cited the 7.5% horizontal reservation introduced for government school students in medical admissions, stating that since the 2020-21 academic year, the policy has enabled 3,460 students to pursue medical education.

The event was attended by former minister and Tirupattur district in-charge K.C. Veeramani, along with several AIADMK leaders and party cadre.

(inputs from IANS)