Udhayanidhi, campaigning for DMK’s Mannargudi candidate and Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, sought to frame the 2026 Assembly election as a battle between “slaves and self-respect”.
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“As long as J Jayalalithaa (late AIADMK leader) was there, (he held) her feet. After she died, V K Sasikala’s feet. After she went to jail, T T V Dhinakaran’s feet. Now, he goes to Delhi and says, I will only hang onto Modi’s feet, and he is hanging there.”
The Deputy CM claimed that Palaniswami had backstabbed every mentor who aided his political rise, contrasting this with the DMK’s record of standing up for Tamil Nadu’s autonomy against the “Delhi team.”
Responding to the AIADMK chief’s taunts regarding his “lack of experience”, Udhayanidhi retorted that he indeed lacked the “experience” of catching the feet of superiors for posts. “I don’t have the experience of being afraid. I am someone who always stands with the people and speaks for their rights,” he asserted.
Focusing on the “Dravidian Model 2.0” roadmap, the DMK leader promised to double the monthly ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ (Women’s Rights Grant) from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 upon returning to power. He also announced a special Rs 8,000 grant for women to purchase household appliances, a move aimed at boosting the domestic economy of rural households.Also Read: How can Tamil Nadu get funds if state always confronts Centre, asks AIADMK chief Palaniswami
Highlighting the developmental works in Mannargudi, including a textile park and the Rs 170 crore railway overbridge, Udhayanidhi urged the electorate to ensure a victory margin exceeding one lakh votes for Rajaa. He noted that the success of the Delta candidate was “more important” to him than his own performance in the Chepauk-Triplicane constituency.
The rally, which saw participation from Congress, VCK, and Left alliance partners, ended with Udhayanidhi warning that any resurgence of the AIADMK-BJP combine would result in the loss of Tamil Nadu’s hard-won state rights.
Elections for 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23.
