DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) dared AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to clarify his current stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

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Accusing the former Chief Minister of betraying the minorities and Sri Lankan Tamils by supporting the Act brought in by the BJP to save his position, Mr. Stalin alleged that the legislation was passed with the support of the AIADMK and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss in the Rajya Sabha.

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“In the protests that followed, thousands of people were attacked and about 70 people were killed. Their blood is on the hands of the AIADMK,” Mr. Stalin charged, while campaigning in Tiruchi on Wednesday.

Yet, Mr. Palaniswami maintained that no one will be affected by the CAA and asked “which Muslim has been affected by the law.” “But when he went alone in the 2024 [Lok Sabha] elections, he took a U-turn by condemning the Act, just to attract minority votes. He described the Act as a historic blunder then, and said that the BJP was creating divisions among the people. I ask him now – do you support the Act or not? Answer my query if you are brave enough,” Mr. Stalin dared the AIADMK leader. He further accused Mr. Palaniswami of blindly supporting the three farm laws too, and insulting the farmers who protested against the laws by terming them “brokers.”

Listing out the various projects and schemes implemented over the past five years, Mr. Stalin said that his government also ensured there were no caste or communal clashes in Tamil Nadu. “There is no mob violence as in Uttar Pradesh nor continuous violence as in Manipur. We have defeated the BJP’s conspiracies to trigger such incidents here. A peaceful atmosphere and talented human resources have resulted in the flow of investments to Tamil Nadu under our rule. We have to take this development to the next level,” he said, seeking the support of the electorate for the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) candidates in Tiruchi district.

Taking a dig at Mr.Palaniswami for claiming that there were no issues within the AIADMK alliance, Mr. Stalin wondered why then then Leader of the Opposition had to visit Delhi so many times and wait for hours to get the appointment of Home Minister Amit Shah. “They claim that AIADMK heads the alliance. If so, why are all the parties holding talks with the BJP? Why are smaller parties contesting on the BJP symbol instead of the AIADMK’s?” Mr. Stalin asked.

Refuting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism that the DMK has failed to implement its promises, Mr. Stalin said he had been explaining, with statistics, the projects and schemes implemented by his government at every meeting. “I request Mr. Modi to stay here for a week and see how Tamil Nadu holds its heads high. The State has the highest number of employed women among the States in the country. The atrocities happening in BJP-ruled States do not take place here. The PM should promise women’s safety only in the BJP-ruled States and not here,” Mr. Stalin said. By denigrating Tamil Nadu, the NDA leaders were only acting against the interests of the State and trying to destroy it, he added.

For Tamil Nadu to remain on the growth trajectory, the Dravidian Model government should continue, Mr. Stalin contended. “We cannot even imagine the harm that the BJP and its gang of bonded labourers would bring to the State [if voted to power]. Tamil Nadu should remain as it is; it should not become lands of violence such as Manipur or Uttar Pradesh. If voted to power, they will not even hesitate to change the name of Tamil Nadu as Dakshin Pradesh. To prevent all this, the entire State should unite against the BJP and its allies,” he said.

Refuting Mr. Palaniswami’s allegation that the DMK’s promise of providing coupons under the Ilatharasi scheme for purchase of household appliances would only breed corruption, Mr. Stalin said every scheme of the DMK had the stamp of quality. The colour televisions provided during the regime of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in 2006 were still functional in many households, whereas the mixies, grinders, and fans provided by the AIADMK regime have ended up with scrap dealers, he claimed.

DMK president and #TamilNadu Chief Minister #MKStalin takes a morning walk in the Gandhi Market area of #Tiruchi, campaigning for #DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj in the Tiruchi East constituency.

Photo: Special Arrangement pic.twitter.com/bPPhwIFch2 — The Hindu - Chennai (@THChennai) April 1, 2026

Earlier in the day, during his morning walk, Mr. Stalin canvassed for votes at the Gandhi Market and Bheema Nagar areas in Tiruchi East and West constituencies.