
DMK will form govt on its own in 2026, asserts Vaiko
Speaking to reporters, Vaiko said the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP would work against it, as the people of Tamil Nadu firmly rejected the saffron party. "The BJP is being controlled by the RSS, which is trying hard to gain a foothold in the Dravidian heartland. But Tamil Nadu will not allow it," he said.
He reaffirmed MDMK's continued support to the DMK, emphasising that their partnership was built on shared ideology and values.
"We are in alliance not for convenience, but for principles. We opposed the invitation to Sri Lankan President Rajapakse for Modi's swearing-in even when we were part of the NDA. We stand firm on protecting Tamil interests," Vaiko said.
When asked about anti-incumbency, he admitted that every ruling party faces it, including the DMK. However, he praised the state govt for delivering on key welfare promises. "Stalin implemented several schemes, even beyond the manifesto.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
LG, KT, SK 모든 통신사 개통당일 현금 100만원 당일 지급! 똑똑하게 돌려받자!
인싸통
더 알아보기
Undo
The Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam, which gives 1,000 to more than 1.15 crore women, is a shining example," he added.
On seat-sharing, Vaiko clarified that the MDMK did not make any specific numerical demand. "To be recognised as a political party, we need to win at least eight seats. So naturally, we'll ask for more than that. But we never said we want exactly 10 or 12," he said. He also announced a statewide conference in Trichy on Sept 15.
Party MP Durai Vaiko said zonal-level meetings with cadres were ongoing and announced that former CM C N Annadurai's birth anniversary would be commemorated in Trichy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NDTV
36 minutes ago
- NDTV
MLA Will Go Scot-Free, Team Shinde Has Done It Before: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Seeking to draw a clear distinction between the actions of workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and a former MP from her party and those of the MLA of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena who assaulted a canteen worker over the quality of dal, Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP from the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Sena, said comparing them would be wrong. Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha MP said the law had followed its course in the case of the assault of a shopkeeper by MNS workers for asking why speaking in Marathi should be compulsory while MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who assaulted a worker in the canteen of the MLAs' hostel in Mumbai, would go scot-free. "The person who is beating the canteen worker is an elected representative of Maharashtra. He's an MLA, which comes with a whole lot of responsibility, and that responsibility and maturity should have come from him. And it's also different simply because Eknath Shinde's faction has been repeatedly indulging in this. If you remember, when stand-up comic Kunal Kamra had cracked a joke about Mr Shinde, a group of people had gone and broken down the studio, which was a means of livelihood for several people, several other stand-up comedians," she argued. The assault on a shopkeeper in Mira-Bhayender near Mumbai, she said, wasn't about language, but "disrespect". "There was an incident which went out of hand and there was a law-and-order mechanism which was followed. These people were detained and they were booked under some sections which were bailable and they got bail... In this particular case, you will not even have an FIR against this man, who is an elected representative. In this particular case, there will be no one to speak up against him... he will get away scot-free... I am not trying to justify anything, I am just trying to make you aware of the difference," Ms Chaturvedi said. 'Situation Escalated' On Rajan Vichare, former MP from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), at whose office some traders were slapped for allegedly not speaking in Marathi, Ms Chaturvedi said the incident had nothing to do with language. A Shiv Sena (UBT) worker, she claimed, had been beaten up because he asked for a prepaid mobile connection and Mr Vichare had called the attackers to his office to ask them why they had done so. The situation, she said, "escalated" and emphasised that Mr Vichare's constituency has a large north Indian population, which is something he celebrates. Thackeray Reunion MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray shared a stage last week, the Rajya Sabha MP said, because the BJP-led Maharashtra government had issued a government resolution (GR) making Hindi as a third-language compulsory in the state from Class 1. "The argument was why should a language be made compulsory and if Maharashtra is going to get Hindi as a compulsory third language, what is the third language in states which are Hindi-speaking? And the BJP was pressurised not just by political parties, but various people, various sections were also outraged about this. That imposing a language is not the right way of ensuring that people learn the language," Ms Chaturvedi said. "When the GR was taken back, that is when both brothers came on stage for that particular issue. Please understand, even I am Hindi speaking, we are not against the language. We have an entire Hindi film industry working out of Mumbai. We have an entire Hindi television industry working out of Mumbai. Out of 12 crore people in the state of Maharashtra, over one crore come from various states that are Hindi-speaking. Why is it that one or two incidents are raising so many eyebrows against one crore people happily coexisting with the people of Maharashtra. So, one or two incidents could also be due to a lot of provocation," she pointed out.


Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Our border is with Tibet, not China: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu takes swipe at Beijing
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu (File photo) Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,200km border with Tibet, not China, chief minister Pema Khandu declared Wednesday in a surgical swipe at Beijing for repeatedly laying claim to the northeastern state, and also creating what he called a ticking "water bomb" in the form of the world's largest dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra in India) river. "Officially, yes, Tibet is under China now. That can't be ruled out... but originally we shared a border with Tibet," he told PTI in Delhi on his way back from the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebration in Dharamshala. "In Arunachal Pradesh, we share three international boundaries - with Bhutan approximately 150km, with Tibet... and on the eastern side, with Myanmar approximately 550km." Khandu, in his third consecutive term as CM and credited with strengthening BJP's hold on the state, made the remarks while seeking to "correct" the interviewer the moment he referred to Arunachal Pradesh bordering China. Pointing to China's "forcible" occupation of Tibet in 1950, Khandu said that if one looked at India's map, "none of the Indian states directly shares borders with China". The CM's statement comes amid China's intensified bid to stamp its authority on the Dalai Lama's succession. Union minister and fellow Arunachal Pradesh native Kiren Rijiju, said recently that the decision on who should be the Dalai Lama's successor should be solely his and in accordance with established Tibetan Buddhist convention. No government, including China's communist regime, should have a say, he said. On the dam China is building on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra, Khandu warned that the project poses an 'existential threat' to Arunachal and its neighbouring northeastern states. He termed it 'a bigger issue' than anything else other than the Chinese 'military threat' hanging over the region. Khandu said Beijing not being a signatory to any international water treaty meant it 'cannot be trusted'. 'No one knows what they might do... Suppose the dam is built and they suddenly release water, our entire Siang belt would be destroyed. The Adi tribe and similar groups would suffer devastating effects,' he said. The CM said that after discussions with the Union government, Arunachal Pradesh conceived the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project as a bulwark against China's intentions. 'Since we cannot make China see reason, it is better that we focus on our own defence mechanisms and preparations,' he told PTI.


Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
AAP to launch ‘Save school' drive in state
Lucknow: As part of its outreach programme in the state ahead of the panchayat polls next year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would launch a membership drive across UP on Friday. On Wednesday AAP started a 'Save school' campaign across UP against govt's policy to merge schools with low attendance. The 'Save school' programme was initiated by state in-charge and party MP Sanjay Singh from Jaunpur. AAP's campaign comes on the heels of a high court decision to reject appeals against the UP govt order. As per that, an AAP member stated, the BJP-led state govt is planning to close 27,000 govt schools, with orders already issued in several districts. "While 27,308 new liquor stores have opened in UP, 27,000 schools, providing education to poor children, are being shut down. We need schools, not liquor stores and I will take this appeal to the Supreme Court," said Singh. A party spokesperson said that the decision would hurt girls the most, as parents would not be comfortable sending their daughters to schools far away. On the membership drive, a party member said: "We should start preparation for panchayat polls and the Assembly polls in 2027. For this, we need to strengthen the party's base in UP."