CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam said the DMK-led alliance would win the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, thereby disproving the claim that the Dravidian party is incapable of securing consecutive electoral victories and forming the government.
“I say this because the alliance is very strong. All major parties are part of it. In the past, the DMK did not take to the streets against the Union government. Now, the party has clarity on issues and is mobilising its cadres against the anti-people policies of the BJP government. The third factor is the people-oriented welfare schemes of the DMK government. There is no alternative to the present DMK alliance that can override all these factors in its favour,” he said in an interview with The Hindu.
Mr. Shanmugam dismissed the argument that the AIADMK had gained strength by bringing together estranged leaders. “It is not new strength. There is merely an attempt to mend a broken AIADMK. It is a broken pot, and the BJP is trying to fix it. There is no emotional cohesion,” he stated.
“Edappadi Palaniswami (AIADMK leader) refused to include (expelled coordinator) O. Panneerselvam. There are reports that Sasikala (former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s aide) is planning to launch a separate party. Even T.T.V. Dinakaran joined the alliance under certain compulsions and pressure. Can they even come together to organise Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary celebrations?,” the CPI(M) leader asked.
