In a strong response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks in Madurai, DMK organising secretary and former MP R.S. Bharathi accused the BJP of political hypocrisy and warned that its rise in Tamil Nadu could lead to a situation similar to the law and order breakdown seen in Manipur and Odisha. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Bharathi pointed to the DMK-led alliance’s consistent electoral victories since 2018, including the 2019 Lok Sabha, 2021 Assembly, and 2024 general elections. “We have won 13 elections with the trust of the people, and that same trust will ensure more victories in 2026 and beyond,” he said. He criticised Shah for his previous remarks during the Odisha elections, where Tamil IAS officer V. Karthikeyan Pandian was targeted. Bharathi accused the BJP of insulting Tamils in the past, yet now trying to gain support in Tamil Nadu. “Amit Shah, who once mocked Tamils as thieves, now comes to Madurai pretending to be one of us,” Bharathi said. Drawing comparisons with the violence-hit Manipur, Bharathi questioned the BJP’s governance record. “More than 200 people were killed, thousands displaced, and women were attacked in Manipur. The Centre remained a silent spectator. Is this the kind of administration the BJP wants for Tamil Nadu?” he asked. Bharathi also alleged that the BJP was trying to weaken regional parties like the AIADMK and PMK to create political space for itself. “Their goal isn’t to win Tamil hearts. It’s to destroy regional allies and expand their base forcefully,” he said. He ended with a warning that Tamil Nadu voters would reject the BJP again in 2026, just as they did in 2019, 2021, and 2024, defending regional pride and democratic values.