BJP tried to trigger violence in TN, DMK foiled its plans, Stalin says at Trichy poll rally

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday (April 1) launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying it had made plots to trigger violence in the state, similar to those in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur, but the sinister plan was thwarted.

Speaking at a rally in Trichy for the April 24 Assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo said that, unlike in BJP-ruled states, Tamil Nadu has not witnessed caste riots or communal violence.

However, according to the leader who is aiming for the second successive term in power, the saffron party had attempted to create such a situation in the state and that his party stood in between.

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Deputy CM asks voters to decimate AIADMK, BJP

A similar voice was heard in Jolarpettai, some 290 kilometres south of Trichy, where the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, was campaigning. He appealed to the people to decisively defeat the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the forthcoming elections and ensure that its ally, the BJP, does not succeed at the hustings.

“I, like Chief Minister M K Stalin, have been campaigning across the state for the past two days. I am yet to visit my constituency to launch my own campaign as a candidate. Therefore, ensuring the victory of the DMK and its allies in the April 23 elections will amount to a significant win for both the chief minister and me,” Udhayanidhi, the son of MK Stalin, said.

Udhayanidhi, who is also the DMK's youth wing secretary, described the BJP as “fascist”.

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He added that the DMK has been able to approach the electorate with confidence as it has fulfilled the promises made during the 2021 Assembly elections and remains committed to delivering more if it secures a second consecutive term.

Poll promises for women

During his rally in Trichy, Chief Minister Stalin assured women that they would be provided with a coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase home appliances of their choice from shops they choose in their respective areas, if the DMK returned to power.

He also assured that the monthly financial assistance for women would be doubled to Rs 2,000. At the same time, support for college-going students pursuing higher education would be from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per month.

Also read: DMK bets big on women voters in 2026 TN elections

It may be mentioned here that the ruling party unveiled its manifesto for the election on Sunday (March 29). whereby it made several welfare promises for various sections of society, including women's empowerment, education, health, and others.

One of the key features of the manifesto is the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme for women, targeting those from families that don't come under the income-tax bracket. The Rs 8,000-coupon plan comes under that scheme.

(With agency inputs)