Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin intensified his criticism of Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, expanding on allegations that the former Chief Minister was spreading misinformation about paddy procurement and attempting to mislead farmers. Stalin reiterated that his administration had instructed officials across the state to ensure that every grain harvested by farmers was safeguarded, procured efficiently, and not wasted. He argued that procurement numbers under the current government had surpassed those recorded during the AIADMK administration, countering Palaniswami's narrative that harvested paddy had been left neglected and ruined in fields. According to Stalin, the accusations lacked a factual basis and reflected a repeated pattern where the Opposition had resorted to false claims for political mileage rather than engaging in constructive debate.
Palaniswami, through posts on social media, had accused Stalin of prioritising film events and cultural engagements over the immediate concerns of farmers affected by floods, sprouting crops, and prolonged rainfall. He alleged that the Chief Minister chose to attend movie screenings and interact with film personalities during a period when farmers were struggling, suggesting that Stalin’s focus was misplaced. Palaniswami further criticised the government's handling of issues such as custodial deaths and disaster preparedness, claiming that Stalin had failed to address law-and-order challenges and deteriorating public safety. He labelled Stalin a “puppet Chief Minister” who he believed had lost sight of his responsibilities.
Stalin’s response went beyond defending his government’s agricultural policies. He reminded the public that during Palaniswami’s tenure, the AIADMK had supported the three controversial farm laws introduced by the central government, which later faced large-scale farmer protests across India. Stalin asserted that while Palaniswami had claimed to stand for farmers, he had simultaneously branded protesting farmers as intermediaries or agents. In contrast, Stalin emphasised that the DMK government had passed a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly opposing those laws shortly after coming to power, positioning his administration as more aligned with farmer interests. He framed the debate as a clear contrast between his government's actions and the AIADMK’s past decisions.
Shifting to election-related concerns, Stalin also targeted the central government’s introduction of the SIR (Systematic Information for Registered) voter verification mechanism, alleging it was designed to manipulate electoral rolls. He argued that the new system could be used to selectively remove voters and influence election outcomes, drawing a comparison to reported voter-list disputes in Bihar. Stalin asserted that the move posed a direct challenge to democratic rights and warned that voter suppression tactics would not be tolerated in Tamil Nadu. He stated that the state would remain vigilant and would resist any interference in its electoral processes.
To organise resistance and coordinate political strategy, Stalin announced an all-party meeting to be held on November 2, inviting every political organisation in Tamil Nadu, irrespective of ideological differences, to participate. He noted that Kerala had already expressed support for Tamil Nadu’s stand against the SIR system, presenting the conflict as a broader constitutional and democratic issue rather than a partisan dispute. Stalin emphasised that safeguarding the right to vote was fundamental to democracy and vowed that Tamil Nadu would defend electoral integrity. He urged all parties to prioritise protecting democratic rights above political rivalry, asserting that the state would not permit any attempt to, in his words, “steal votes or weaken democracy.”
He concluded with a firm message that the people of Tamil Nadu had historically defended their political rights and would continue to do so. Stalin asserted that, while criticism from the Opposition would continue, his government remained committed to ensuring fair elections, supporting farmers, and rebutting misinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public confidence.
