Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M K Stalin on Sunday questioned the stability of the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government, saying public discussions have already begun on whether it can last even three months in office.
Speaking at an event to welcome Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA Paniyur Babu to the DMK, Stalin said the party had initially decided not to criticize the new government for six months after it took office.
“When this government came to power, we said that we would refrain from criticism for six months,” Stalin said. “But even before that period ended, developments emerged that were worth discussing. People are already talking about them. The situation is such that many are wondering whether this government can last even three months, let alone five or six months.”
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This is Stalin’s second major criticism of TVK since Vijay became Prime Minister last month. Earlier in May, he said the party had come to power largely through social media platforms such as Instagram and lacked a strong organizational structure.
He said the DMK started preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections immediately after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by appointing booth-level agents, registering members through the ‘Ondrinaivom Vaa’ campaign, conducting regional youth wing conferences, and appointing constituency officials.
“We carried out all these basic works. However, we could not come to power. They did not meet the voters, did not appoint agents, or even count agents in many places. However, they won and formed the government,” Stalin said, in an apparent reference to TVK without naming the party.
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Paniyur Babu joins DMK
Welcoming Banniyur Babu and his supporters to the DMK, Stalin lauded the former legislator’s performance in the assembly. “For the past five years, I have been closely monitoring Paniyur Babu in the Assembly. He would come quietly and leave quietly, but whenever he spoke, he raised constructive issues and forcefully expressed the concerns of his constituents,” Stalin said.
The DMK chief also lauded the statement issued by Babu before joining the party, saying he explained his reasons for changing his stand with dignity and without attacking anyone.
“I read his statement. There was not a word in it that could hurt anyone. Paniyur Babu is a committed worker who sticks to his principles,” Stalin said.
