'Stalin correct in saying I can't defeat DMK, but people can': Amit Shah in Tamil Nadu

Addressing party office bearers in Madurai, Amit Shah alleged that DMK's “corrupt rule” has affected the poor, women and children in Tamil Nadu.

Updated on: Jun 8, 2025, 22:56:12 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Union home minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the NDA would form governments in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal next year.

Union home minister Amit Shah interacts with former party state president K Annamalai during the Tamil Nadu state, district and mandal-level functionaries meet in Madurai on Sunday. (K.Annamalai-X)

Amit Shah suggested that Tamil Nadu chief minister might be correct in saying "Amit Shah cannot defeat DMK", but it is the “people of Tamil Nadu who will bring about that change.”

Addressing party office bearers in Madurai, Shah reminded them of the party's performance in the Delhi assembly elections and vowed to repeat it in the two states.

“In 2025, we successfully formed the government in Delhi, and in 2026, it will be Tamil Nadu's turn to witness a new government under our leadership. In the same year, the BJP and NDA are set to establish governments in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu,” Shah said.

He also targeted the MK Stalin-led ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu, saying that the Karyakartas Sammelan (workers' meeting) would mark the beginning of the DMK government's decline.

Also Read | BJP-led central govt seeks to centralise authority, erode state rights: TN CM Stalin

“This Karyakartas Sammelan will mark the beginning of the DMK government's decline. In 2026, the BJP-AIADMK alliance is poised to form the NDA government in Tamil Nadu,” Shah said.

“While the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu claims that Amit Shah cannot defeat the DMK, he is correct in one sense. However, it is not Amit Shah who will defeat the DMK, it is the people of Tamil Nadu who will bring about that change,” he added.

Also Read | At Madurai event, Amit Shah apologises for not knowing Tamil: ‘One of the greatest languages of India’

Shah alleged that DMK's “corrupt rule” has affected the poor, women and children in Tamil Nadu.

“A nutrition kit worth Rs. 450 crore, sent by the Modi government to benefit the poor in Tamil Nadu, was handed over to a private company, leading to a scam. Additionally, the DMK government was involved in a Rs. 4,600 crore sand mining scam, which has severely impacted the lives of the poor,” the home minister said.

Shah further said that the BJP government in the Centre provided ₹6.80 lakh crore in 10 years to Tamil Nadu. “And yet chief minister MK Stalin asks what has Centre done for Tamil Nadu,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.