TN Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, while responding to comments by BJP state president K Annamalai that framed the 2024 election as a battle between the BJP and DMK, asserted that opposition parties are actively vying with each other to establish themselves as the principal opposition party to the DMK. The remarks came during an event where he participated in the issuance of appointment orders to candidates trained under the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ scheme in Chennai. Udhayanidhi also conveyed that the DMK is prepared to face the upcoming election, regardless of the opposing parties. He emphasised that the DMK sees all parties as equals and is well-equipped to contest the election under the leadership of Chief Minister M K Stalin. Notably, BJP state president K Annamalai has consistently stated that the main electoral battle in Tamil Nadu will be between the DMK and the BJP, sidelining the AIADMK, which claims to be the principal opposition party. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, in response, has asserted that his party holds that position based on a stronger vote share and a greater number of MLAs compared to the BJP.