In a significant political statement, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a scathing attack on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), accusing him of potentially aligning more closely with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the pressure of ongoing Income Tax (I-T) investigations. Speaking at a wedding event in Radhakrishnan Nagar on Sunday, Udhayanidhi claimed that the AIADMK leader, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition, is intimidated by the specter of I-T raids.

Udhayanidhi highlighted perceived inconsistencies in Palaniswami’s stance on the alliance between AIADMK and BJP. He referred to the recent I-T raid at the residence of Salem Elangovan, an EPS loyalist, which he implied has influenced Palaniswami’s political moves. “Earlier, EPS denied any alliance with the BJP. But after the raid, he backtracked, saying it was not the right time to discuss alliances,” Udhayanidhi said. He asserted that if subjected to another such raid, EPS might go as far as merging AIADMK with BJP.

Udhayanidhi also addressed Palaniswami’s frequent criticism of the ruling DMK. According to Udhayanidhi, EPS is irked by the recognition and appreciation that the DMK government receives for its initiatives. “The people of Tamil Nadu praise Chief Minister MK Stalin for the government’s welfare schemes and achievements, which makes EPS uncomfortable,” the Deputy CM stated, adding that EPS is seemingly agitated by any celebration of the DMK’s governance.

Addressing the criticisms about naming government schemes after DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, Udhayanidhi defended the decision by paying tribute to Karunanidhi’s lifetime of service. “Kalaignar worked tirelessly for Tamil Nadu and the Tamil people until he was 96 years old. It’s only fitting that we honor him by naming schemes after him. How can we name them after anyone else? Should we name them after the ‘cockroach’ that crawled in Koovathur? Even naming it after Jayalalithaa wouldn’t satisfy him [EPS],” he quipped, referencing an incident that symbolizes political betrayal during the AIADMK power struggle at the Koovathur resort in 2017.

Palaniswami had previously countered Udhayanidhi’s criticisms by emphasizing his political experience. “My experience is more than your age,” EPS remarked, accusing Chief Minister MK Stalin of nepotism, asserting that promoting his son to power was Stalin’s only major achievement.

Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi urged DMK cadres to increase voter outreach efforts, emphasizing that continuous engagement is vital for the party’s success in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. “We must work tirelessly to secure victory and return to Fort St. George for the seventh time,” he concluded, rallying the party members to maintain momentum in the political battlefield.