DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has clarified his controversial remarks about “abolishing” Sanatan Dharma after sparking a fresh uproar in Tamil Nadu. He said he meant ending the caste system that divides people into upper and lower castes, arguing it would not stop anyone from visiting temples. In an X post, he said his position is rooted in Dravidian movement ideas and the principles of Periyar, Ambedkar, Anna and Kalaignar, opposing inequality and oppression.
Former Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin said the DMK-led alliance has not weakened after the elections, pointing to 1.54 crore votes as evidence of public trust. He said allies have pledged to continue pushing the DMK’s vision, focusing on welfare and safeguarding the state’s rights. Stalin thanked partners for their steadfast support and coordination.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay won a trust vote with 144 votes in favour as the DMK staged a walkout, accusing the TVK government of misgovernance. Udhayanidhi Stalin challenged the government’s majority and alleged outside support, while also flagging recent political realignments tied to the AIADMK.
Tamil Nadu’s trust vote delivered a clear mandate for TVK chief Vijay, sealing his position as Chief Minister after lawmakers approved his government by 144 votes in favour. Twenty-two opposed the motion and five abstained. As the tally emerged, DMK staged a walkout, underscoring intensifying political conflict during the floor test.
RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale hit back at DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call to eradicate Sanatan Dharma, saying it will not disappear. He compared Sanatan to an eternal banyan tree that cannot be wished away, arguing it reflects India’s spirit and worldview rather than just a religious practice. Hosabale also claimed Sanatan can stay fresh while embracing modernity.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan has claimed that both DMK and AIADMK approached him with an offer for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s post. He says the move was linked to forming an alliance meant to keep C Joseph Vijay’s TVK out of power. Thirumavalavan adds that VCK considered the proposal internally and rejected it amid heightened political activity before the TVK government’s floor test.
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AIADMK MLA C V Shanmugam stoked fresh speculation by claiming party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami proposed becoming chief minister with DMK support. Shanmugam said the plan was rejected by a majority of legislators and insisted his faction has no intention of splitting the AIADMK, urging instead for a new alliance as political clouds gather in Tamil Nadu.
A breakaway AIADMK faction has announced its support for the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Senior MLAs S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam plan to submit a letter to Vijay, accusing party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami of seeking to form a government with DMK backing—an aim they say they oppose.
Tamil Nadu’s 17th Legislative Assembly convened with C Joseph Vijay sworn in as Chief Minister alongside prominent leaders from the ruling side and opposition. Minister S Keerthana initially missed her oath ceremony, but later submitted her certificate and was sworn in. The session now turns to the crucial next step as the government prepares for an anticipated floor test.
The Madras High Court has reserved its decision on a plea seeking to restrain a TVK MLA-elect from taking oath in Tamil Nadu. The TVK candidate won the Tirupattur seat by a single vote. The DMK runner-up, having sought a recount after losing narrowly, argued both sides in court, with the final ruling still pending.
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DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan accused the Centre of driving India’s fuel crisis by allegedly stopping crude oil purchases from Russia under pressure attributed to Trump. Speaking in Chennai, he said Modi’s recent “seven appeals” to citizens amid the West Asia crisis sounded like a cover for potential petrol price hikes. The party also claimed the government plans to raise fuel costs.
Udhayanidhi Stalin congratulated C. Joseph Vijay on being sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, while signaling he will remain a strong opposition voice. The DMK leader also credited MK Stalin for appointing him as Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, saying he is committed to serving the public and holding the government accountable.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s swearing-in turned tense over the order of songs played during the ceremony. Opposition DMK and TVK allies protested after Vande Mataram was played before the Tamil anthem, citing an “inappropriate” sequence for Tamil Nadu. TVK responded that the arrangement was the Governor’s call, while TVK MLA Aadhav Arjuna issued a clarification on X.
The DMK Legislature Party meeting in Chennai decided on new leadership roles under party president MK Stalin. Udhayanidhi Stalin was elected as Leader of the Legislature Party, while KN Nehru and EV Velu were appointed Deputy Leader and party whip. The changes were finalized at Kalaignar Arangam in Anna Arivalayam on Thursday, signalling a reshuffle ahead of the legislature’s next phase.
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After actor-politician Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, the DMK shifted to the opposition in the Assembly. At a DMK Legislature Party meeting in Chennai led by MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin was elected leader of the DMK Legislature Party. With DMK emerging as the second-largest party, his role sets the tone for Opposition strategy going forward.
The Madras High Court has adjourned a petition challenging a TVK candidate’s one-vote win in Tirupattur. A former DMK minister moved the court to bar the elected candidate from taking oath as an MLA. The matter has been deferred, with the next hearing set for May 11, leaving the outcome in legal limbo despite the close result.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress as a “parasitic party,” accusing it of betraying DMK and relying on the alliance for political survival. He cited NDA victories in Puducherry, Assam, and West Bengal, and pointed to BJP’s record-breaking Gujarat local body poll performance, saying it signals a new political chapter.
After losing by a single vote in Tamil Nadu’s 2026 election, former DMK minister K R Periyakaruppan has filed in the Madras High Court to prevent newly elected TVK MLA Seenivasa Sethupathy from casting a ballot in the upcoming trust vote. The case is centered on whether the MLA can participate following the narrow defeat in the polls.
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DMK MP Kanimozhi has asked for separate seating in the Lok Sabha after DMK and Congress parted ways in Tamil Nadu. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Parliament will accommodate the request. The change follows Congress moving its support to actor Vijay’s TVK after the assembly election results, which has altered INDIA bloc optics and raised questions about alignment.
Regional parties are recalibrating INDIA bloc strategy after election setbacks in Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav are urging opposition unity, while Tejashwi Yadav argues regional parties are vital to counter the BJP. But friction is growing after Congress parted ways with the DMK, leaving the bloc’s cohesion uncertain ahead of upcoming contests.
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