TN Will Never Submit to Delhi's Control: CM Amid Language Row

Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president M K Stalin in Thiruvallur on Friday said the state will never be under Delhi's control, in a rebuttal to Union home minister Amit Shah's statement that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would come to power in Tamil Nadu in 2026.

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI: Stalin added that BJP's plans of "breaking parties" and "threatening them" through raids would not work in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin posed four questions to Shah asking if he can affirm that NEET exemption will be granted, assure that Hindi will not be imposed, provide a list detailing the special funds allocated to Tamil Nadu and promise that Tamil Nadu's representation will not be reduced in the upcoming delimitation process? "If what we are doing is called distraction, why have you not provided clear answers to the people of Tamil Nadu on these critical issues?" Stalin asked.

He said that Tamil Nadu in its history has never accepted domination or aggression in any era. "You think you can rule Tamil Nadu by partnering with spineless traitors who lack Tamil identity and dignity?" he asked in an indirect reference to DMK's chief rival AIADMK. "We are well aware of the kind of intimidation and underhanded tactics you will employ in the coming year before elections—and so are the people of this nation. We are not the kind of people who yield to such pressure. Not Amit Shah—no "Shah" can rule here." Stalin said that as long as he is there Shah's plans for Tamil Nadu will not succeed.