Addressing a fervent campaign rally in support of DMK candidate Ganapathi P Rajkumar in Coimbatore, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin, called for the election of a new Prime Minister to champion the rights of Tamil Nadu. Accusing AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami of compromising the state’s interests to the BJP, Stalin warned against falling for what he deemed as mere theatrics in breaking ties with the BJP. He highlighted the glaring disparity in central allocations, with Tamil Nadu receiving a paltry return of Rs 29 paisa for every rupee paid as tax, compared to Rs 3 to 7 received by states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Asserting the need for a change in leadership to reclaim Tamil Nadu’s rights in finance, language, and education, Stalin rallied support for the DMK’s cause.In a contrasting stance, BJP state president K Annamalai seized the spotlight on the final day of the campaign, invoking the prospect of a transformative ‘Kovai formula’ akin to the legendary ‘Thirumangalam formula’ employed by the DMK.
