T.N. CM Stalin hits back at Palaniswami, defends participating in NITI Aayog meeting

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) came down heavily on AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who criticised the former’s decision to participate in the NITI Aayog’s Governing Council meeting in New Delhi on May 24.

In a post on X, Mr. Stalin said he was going to participate in the NITI Aayog meeting to present Tamil Nadu’s rightful financial entitlements, and questioned why his participation hurt Mr. Palaniswami.

“Regardless of whether it was Sasikala or Amit Shah, he [Mr. Palaniswami] never stopped his habit of crawling under the table to hold their feet. Earlier, he had said that his party would never align with the BJP. Later, he waved a white flag following a raid. Doesn’t he feel ashamed to claim that I have waved the white flag,” Mr. Stalin asked.

“My hands, raised by Perarignar [C.N. Annadurai] and guided by Kalaignar [M. Karunanidhi], will only hold the black and red flag of the DMK. I will always carry the flag of rights and will never crawl,” he said.

Referring to the suit filed by the Tamil Nadu government in the Supreme Court, accusing the Centre of stopping funds to the tune of more than ₹2,000 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, Mr. Stalin said: “Even today, I filed a case in the Supreme Court to protect Tamil Nadu’s rights. I will stand firm by my principles. I will fight and win the rightful funds for Tamil Nadu.”