Thoothukudi MP and DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi asserted on Tuesday that victory by the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, will set an example for other States, affected by BJP-led Central government’s policies, to take up the fight against the national party vigorously.

Campaigning for SPA candidates for the Assembly polls in the presence of Minister for Handlooms and Textiles and incumbent Ranipet MLA R. Gandhi here, Ms. Kanimozhi said that the upcoming elections was crucial to emphasize the need to safeguard rights of the State and protection of federal structure.

More importantly, the DMK win in the Assembly elections will set an example to other States that oppose BJP policies at the Centre, that they too can win elections despite their opposition. “We [DMK] don’t blame others to garner votes. Instead, we seek votes proudly as we have fulfilled poll promises that were given during 2021 elections,” she said. 

The DMK leader slammed Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his double standards, especially for being in an alliance with BJP. For example, she said that the AIADMK fought the 2021 Assembly elections along with BJP. It supported Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was against the interest of minorities, passage of the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK parted ways from BJP and fought the polls separately. Mr. Palaniswami claimed then that he made a mistake by joining an alliance with BJP for the 2021 polls. Now again, the AIADMK has joined hands with the BJP.

Earlier at Sholinghur, Ms. Kanimozhi assured voters that the proposed Bypass Road in Sholinghur town would be commenced once DMK returned to power. The new stretch would prevent trucks and lorries from entering into the congested town and prevent accidents, she said. Later, Ms. Kanimozhi also campaigned for SPA candidates for Arani, Polur, and Kalasapakkam Assembly constituencies in Tiruvannamalai district.