Efforts on to 'remove' DMK govt by some who can't stand its popularity: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

The Chief Minister's comments come in the wake of the controversy surrounding the alleged fake videos of attacks on migrant workers in the state

Launching a veiled attack on the BJP, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday alleged that some forces are trying to “unseat” the DMK government in Tamil Nadu through “caste and communal riots” as "they are unable to digest the popularity” of the Dravidian model of governance.

Stalin also reiterated that all parties committed to secularism should shed differences to come together on a single platform to fight the BJP at the national level, just like the DMK-led alliance has been together for the past five years registering one electoral victory after another.

Speaking after inaugurating a statue of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi in Nagercoil, Stalin said that the DMK government’s Dravidian model of governance is being praised not just by people of Tamil Nadu but also by leaders from various parts of the country. At the same time, he said, forces that are hell bent on “dividing the country” are worried about the popularity of the DMK government as they understand that their future is bleak.

Also read | People of TN will always protect migrant labourers: Stalin

“These forces are planning to bring disrepute to the DMK government and to unseat it. They are thinking how to unleash violence. They are planning how to unleash caste and communal riots in Tamil Nadu. I usually don’t respond to unnecessary criticism against us because our response will give them publicity,” Stalin said.

He asked the DMK cadres to concentrate on the Lok Sabha polls to ensure that the winning streak of the Secular Progressive Alliance continues in 2024 as well. “Our alliance showed the country how we can register continuous electoral victories by being united. Our winning streak began (in 2019) much before we came to power. We have won all elections since 2019 and this is what they (BJP) are not able to digest,” Stalin added.

The DMK chief also said all secular forces should come together to fight the BJP by “burying their differences,” and to “save India.”

Stalin’s comments come a week after he made a strong case for Congress as the fulcrum of the Opposition alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, and appealed to parties opposed to the BJP to “stand united” and fight the polls together, while dismissing the talk of a Third Front as “pointless.”

“Opposition parties should be united. At the same time, we should reject the talks about non-Congress alliance. It will not work out. Post-electoral alliance is also not practical. Talks of Third Front are pointless. It (Third Front) will never reach the shore. All political parties opposed to the BJP should understand this simple electoral arithmetic and stand united,” Stalin had said.