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Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu elections: AIADMK Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami Advocates BJP Alliance to Combat DMK's Governance Ahead of 2026 Polls
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami says the party will form the govt with an absolute majority. Photo by B A Raju Every section of society has been affected over the past 50 months since the DMK assumed office, says AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami in an interview with Jaya Menon and Julie Mariappan. He adds that as the largest party in Tamil Nadu , the AIADMK will emerge victorious in the 2026 assembly election. Excerpts: How is the AIADMK poised for the 2026 assembly election? You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai AIADMK will capture power with absolute majority in 2026. Every section of society has been affected over the past 50 months since the DMK assumed office — an increase in drug trafficking, illicit liquor deaths, murder, burglary and sexual offences, price rise and spike in tax burden. There is a growing hatred for the Stalin model govt among the public. Never in the history of Tamil Nadu has there been such a corrupt, incompetent anti-people govt. I began the 'Makkalai Kappom–Tamizhagathai Meetpom' statewide tour from July 7 covering 234 constituencies to remind people of the AIADMK govt's achievements. I can see massive support wherever I go. It is eight years since you took charge as AIADMK general secretary. My political journey in AIADMK began 46 years ago. As general secretary, I am working with the sole objective of bringing AIADMK back to power, with the blessings of two deities — Puratchi Thalaivar M G Ramachandran and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (J Jayalalithaa). I will achieve that goal with the support of people and cooperation of AIADMK cadres. What is your assessment of AIADMK's strengths? There are more than two crore members in AIADMK. It is the third largest party in the country in terms of membership. We are the largest party in Tamil Nadu. We will emerge victorious. In an interview to TOI in 2019 ahead of LS polls, you said AIADMK lacked a strong national leader after Jayalalithaa and Narendra Modi was the only option. AIADMK is a state party. If projects need to be implemented in the state, the cooperation and support of the Centre is essential. BJP is a strong party nationally. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo It is the ruling party at the Centre. The major issues facing the state today are the DMK's autocratic rule, deep-rooted corruption, deteriorating law and order, unbearable debt burden, and a lack of development projects. The administration is trapped in the clutches of one family. AIADMK believes an alliance with BJP is essential to remove this chaotic govt, reclaim Tamil Nadu, and bring it back on the path of development. We want to remove the anti-people DMK regime from Tamil Nadu. Why didn't you align with BJP for the 2024 LS polls? Poll strategies are formed based on the political situation. Given the current political scenario, the DMK must be ousted. Hence, it has become necessary to unite like-minded parties. Such a situation did not arise during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Is AIADMK ready to form a coalition govt for the first time in its history if it does not win a majority? Even if it gets a majority? How can I answer a hypothetical question? AIADMK will form the govt with an absolute majority. Did your decision to align with the BJP have anything to do with Annamalai not continuing as its state president? The AIADMK never interferes in the activities of other parties. Are you in talks with Vijay 's TVK? We cannot reveal our election strategies and tactics. Will AIADMK snap ties with the BJP and join hands with TVK in the event of Vijay climbing down? I don't respond to hypothetical questions. Who is a stronger ally — BJP or TVK? BJP is a national party. It is the ruling party in several states. Each party has its own strength. We can't compare parties. All like-minded parties should join hands to take on the anti-people DMK. Did the AIADMK explore alliances with NTK and DMK allies, VCK and the Left parties for the 2026 election? We welcome those who want to work with us to unseat the anti-DMK govt. What is wrong with that? What about criticism that AIADMK leadership lacks the dynamism and charisma of former chief ministers MGR and Jayalalithaa? They are unparalleled leaders. It is foolish to compare them with anyone. The party was nurtured by them and will always have their guidance. The AIADMK is now strong and vibrant. Party cadres are working enthusiastically. What is your response to allegations that conflicts, splits and ideological inconsistencies led to AIADMK's poor show in the elections? After Amma died, the party experienced a setback but it has risen from that trying period. Victory and defeat are common in electoral politics. Didn't we return to office in 2001 after losing in 1996? Didn't the DMK that lost its deposit in RK Nagar bypoll in 2017 and finished third, come to power in the last election? We contested alone in the 2024 LS polls and increased our vote share. In the 2026 election, we will record a resounding win and form the govt. How will the AIADMK-BJP alliance influence vote conversion considering that cadres burst firecrackers when the allies split in 2023? I am not aware of celebrations with firecrackers. Election strategies must be tailored to the situation for a victory. What do you have to say about the perceived insults aimed at Dravidian icons Periyar and Annadurai during the Murugan devotees' conference? We have condemned videos defaming Periyar and Anna. How are you going to revive relationships with minority groups, especially after erstwhile allies representing the community have parted ways? Since its inception, AIADMK has been committed to minorities' welfare. It is false propaganda that they are against us. AIADMK is struggling to build a formidable alliance, having lost most of its allies since 2021. It is difficult to form an alliance against the authoritative power and money power of DMK. The AIADMK will overcome those obstacles and win. Why did you raise the issue of temple funds being used by HR&CE department for education given that MGR too took such initiatives? There is nothing wrong with using temple funds for education. Though colleges are functioning on temple funds, they will charge like self-financing colleges. Therefore, it is mandatory for poor students to pay higher fees when studying in HR&CE-run colleges. Running colleges is a recurring expense and the temple concerned must allocate a substantial amount every year. The state govt must take on the responsibility of higher education. Doesn't the govt have the funds to do this? Your thoughts on the state economic survey's findings, suggesting growth, high per capita income and employment opportunities. These are all publicity stunts. They don't seem to have made any such progress. Chief minister M K Stalin says AIADMK has no locus standi to comment on law and order. AIADMK that strives for welfare has the locus standi more than Stalin, who became CM with the only qualification of being Karunanidhi's son, and ruined law and order. Are we allies to remain mute spectators to the anti-people activities of the incompetent DMK govt? In a democracy, every citizen has the right to question anyone. But elected representatives and the leader of opposition don't seem to have the right. This is Stalin's understanding of democracy. How do you respond to the govt's assertion that the state's debt is well within the prescribed levels? Should we continue borrowing assuming the state's debt is within the prescribed limit? State govt debt in the 75 years since Independence until 2021 was Rs 5 lakh crore. DMK's borrowings in the past four years is Rs 4.5 lakh crore. The debt burden will exceed Rs 5 lakh crore by the time the DMK tenure ends. Is taking a loan an achievement? We oppose DMK govt's incompetence, which has imposed a debt of Rs1.5 lakh on the head of every child to be born. Email your feedback with name and address to
Pink Villa
04-06-2025
- Business
- Pink Villa
Siddhu Jonnalagadda returns Rs 4.75 crore fees to producers over losses of his movie Jack?
Siddhu Jonnalagadda 's much-hyped film, Jack, did not perform well at the box office. Despite high expectations for the project, it had a severely disappointing run at the box office and ended up facing more criticism than appreciation from the audience. And now, as the actor is all set for his next project, he has taken a generous decision towards the losses incurred by the producers of his last film. Well, he has now returned nearly half of his fees to the makers of the movie. Siddhu Jonnalagadda returns Rs 4.75 crores to Jack producers As per trade insider BA Raju's team, the Telugu actor has now returned half of the fees charged for Jack to the producers, who incurred huge losses after the film's unfortunate box office performance. The total amount returned sums up to Rs. 4.75 crores, taking into account current market trends. Jack's underwhelming box office collections Speaking about the film Jack, it sealed a disastrous fate and grossed only about Rs. 9 crores at the end of its theatrical run at the worldwide box office. The Bommarillu Bhaskar directorial was released on April 10 and mounted high expectations, considering the successes of the actor's previous films, like DJ Tillu and Tillu Square. However, it instead left audiences disappointed, confused, and underwhelmed, and has minted only Rs 9 crores in total so far. Post its theatrical run, Jack debuted on the streaming platform Netflix for its OTT release. Siddhu Jonnalagadda's next film Moving on, the actor is gearing up for the release of his next film, Telusu Kada. The Telugu romantic film is written and directed by Neeraja Kona. Besides Siddhu in the lead, the movie also stars Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty in key roles. The film will be hitting the big screens on October 17, 2025.
