Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : ‘It will be Tamil vs Hindi in state polls 2026’: Udhayanidhi Stalin and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing Secretary, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has framed the upcoming state assembly elections as a pivotal battle between Tamil Nadu and the central government. Speaking in Thanjavur on 16 February, he described the contest as a fight “between social justice and social injustice, and between the Tamil language and the imposition of Hindi.”
Addressing a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Youth Wing meeting, Stalin asserted that “Modi-Amit Shah politics will not work in Tamil Nadu,” framing the election as a direct “war between Tamil Nadu and Delhi.”
He tasked Youth Wing members with acting as frontline workers, insisting, “We must prove that Tamil Nadu will never bow to Delhi. We have history on our side. Despite what those without political understanding may say, victory will belong to the Rising Sun symbol. We must win in all 200 constituencies.”
Highlighting the party’s organisational strength, Stalin noted that five lakh office-bearers have been appointed within the Youth Wing, with 50 lakh members enrolled. “No other political party or affiliated wing in India has such a robust structure. Today, many parties are struggling simply to form booth committees,” he claimed.
Praising the current administration, he remarked, “The schemes of the Dravidian Model government are being noticed and appreciated across India. It will once again be the DMK 2.0 government that takes office in Tamil Nadu.”
Stalin also announced that the women’s entitlement assistance scheme would be increased from Rs 1,000 to 2,000 upon re-election, a move he claimed has caused immense distress to the BJP and their allies.
Directly criticising the BJP-AIADMK alliance, Stalin suggested that while PM Modi and Amit Shah may succeed in northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, they would not find success in Tamil Nadu.
He further mocked the “double-engine government” concept promoted by the Prime Minister. “Prime Minister Modi, look at your alliance vehicle—everyone in it is a punctured tyre. Your punctured tyres and your non-functioning engine will never run in Tamil Nadu.”
The meeting, held in Sengipatti, Thanjavur district, brought together Youth Wing administrators from eight constituencies.
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