Stalin led DMK regime steps into fifth year, high on confidence of retaining power in 2026

High on confidence banking on its four year achievements during which it had launched several flagship programmes for all sections of the society, the ruling DMK's Dravidian Model Governance stepped into its fifth year on Wednesday, exuding confidence of overcoming the so called anti-incumbency factor as claimed by the Opposition and forming the government for the seventh time in next year's Assembly polls.

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Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin sounded confidence on the eve of entering his fifth year in office of the party retaining power and forming the government for the seventh time, banking on its four year achievements and people's support.

As has been the tradition, he began the day of his fifth year in office, by paying tributes at the memorial of his father, late CM and DMK Patriarch M Karunanidhi and DMK Founder C N Annadurai at the Marina Beach front also at the memorial of social reformer Periyar.

He also launched some welfare schemes including flagging of new buses at an event to mark the occasion.

Dismissing the opposition charges of a perceived anti-incumbency factor, Mr Stalin, in an indirect reference to the Main Opposition AIADMK's revival of ties with the BJP after a gap of two years, terming it as opportunistic and said their dream of forming the next government by unseating the DMK will never fructify.

He also had an indirect dig at the nascent TVK Founder and actor-politician Vijay's claim of forming the government, and said those who have started new parties and just entered politics are dreaming of becoming the Chief Minister. Their dreams will jot be fulfilled.

It may be noted that Vijay had declared that the DMK was its political adversary and the BJP, which is ruling at the Centre as its ideological enemy.