‘Can it last three months?’ Stalin questions stability of TVK government in Tamil Nadu

NEW DELHI: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Sunday launched a fresh attack on the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government, questioning its durability and claiming developments in recent months had raised doubts about its future.

Speaking at an event where former VCK MLA Panaiyur Babu joined the DMK along with his supporters, Stalin said his party had initially decided not to criticise the new government for six months after it assumed office.

However, he said the political situation had forced a debate sooner than expected.

“When this government assumed office, we had said we would refrain from criticism for six months. But within that period itself, circumstances have emerged that compel discussion,” Stalin said, according to news agency ANI.

“Many are already talking about it. The situation is such that people are wondering whether it can last even three months, let alone five or six months,” he added.

Panaiyur Babu joins DMK

Former VCK legislator Panaiyur Babu formally joined the DMK in the presence of senior party leaders, including Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, TR Baalu and Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Welcoming him into the party, Stalin praised Babu's conduct in the Assembly and described him as a principled politician.

“During the last five years, I have had the opportunity to closely observe Paniyur Babu in the Assembly. He would come quietly and leave quietly, but whenever he spoke, he would raise constructive views and strongly articulate the issues concerning his constituency,” Stalin said.

Referring to Babu's statement explaining his decision to switch parties, Stalin said it contained “not a single word” that could hurt anyone and described the former MLA as “a committed worker who stands firm by his principles.”

DMK highlights welfare and development record

Stalin used the occasion to highlight the DMK's record on social justice and development. He cited the construction of memorials for anti-caste leaders Immanuel Sekaran and Rettamalai Srinivasan, as well as the renovation of the MC Raja Students' Hostel.

He also listed projects implemented in the Cheyyur constituency, including an arts and science college, a SIPCOT industrial estate, a government hospital, paddy procurement centres, fishing net-weaving centres, coastal protection works and distribution of free house-site pattas to around 10,000 beneficiaries.

“Paniyur Babu has chosen the DMK as the right movement to continue his ideological journey,” Stalin said.

Remarks come amid wider opposition criticism of TVK

Stalin's comments add to a growing chorus of opposition criticism directed at chief minister Joseph Vijay and the TVK government.

A day earlier, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami had alleged that the TVK government could collapse if its alliance partners withdrew support.

Palaniswami claimed Vijay had won the election due to his “cinema glamour” and argued that the ruling coalition depended heavily on support from allied parties.