On July 15, 2025, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), the dynamic leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), spearheaded a vibrant election campaign across Kunnam, Ariyalur, and Jayankondam, rallying supporters for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. His statewide tour, named Makkalai Meetchi, Thamizhagam Vellum (Empowering People, Tamil Nadu Will Triumph), forms the heart of the Puratchi Thamizharin Porattam (Revolutionary Tamilians’ Battle for Progress), captivating audiences and energizing the party’s base.
EPS’s campaign is a powerful call to action, sharply criticizing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for unfulfilled promises. Speaking to enthusiastic crowds, EPS highlighted soaring electricity costs, rising taxes, and declining public safety as evidence of the DMK’s governance failures. He dismissed the DMK’s Ungaludan Stalin initiative, launched concurrently, as a superficial tactic to gather voter data rather than solve pressing issues. EPS pointed out that the DMK’s surveys of unresolved civic problems only underscore their inability to deliver after years in power.
With a commanding presence, EPS rallied supporters by declaring that the AIADMK’s relentless advocacy has forced the government to act on key issues. Social media buzz, particularly on X, reflects growing excitement, especially among rural voters and men over 40, who are increasingly aligning with the AIADMK-BJP coalition.
This campaign marks a strategic push to revive the AIADMK’s grassroots network, which has faced challenges since the loss of its legendary leader, J. Jayalalithaa, in 2016. Launched on July 7 in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, the tour aims to cover all 234 constituencies, emphasizing women’s safety, law enforcement, and tackling the drug crisis. The renewed AIADMK-BJP alliance, solidified after a brief split in 2023, is central to this effort. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s endorsement of EPS as the chief ministerial candidate has bolstered the party’s position within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu.
Yet, the alliance faces hurdles. Some X posts and reports hint at friction, with the BJP reportedly favoring a coalition government, a notion EPS has categorically rejected. He emphasized the AIADMK’s independence, contrasting it with the DMK’s reliance on allies, and expressed confidence in forming a formidable coalition to defeat the DMK in 2026.
The campaign’s energy is palpable, with Union Minister L. Murugan asserting that EPS’s tour is sparking widespread public enthusiasm, unsettling the DMK’s confidence. The AIADMK’s focus on grassroots engagement and a clear vision for Tamil Nadu’s future positions it as a formidable contender in the upcoming elections.
EPS led a vibrant roadshow in Cuddalore, addressing thousands from his campaign bus, adorned with the AIADMK’s iconic two-leaves symbol and the rallying cry “Tamil Nadu’s Pride, People’s Victory.” His speech was a blistering critique of the DMK’s governance, accusing Stalin of sidelining public welfare for family interests. “Stalin preaches progress but paves the way for his son’s rise as Deputy Chief Minister, ignoring the cries of Cuddalore’s farmers and fishermen,” EPS declared, igniting cheers. He slammed the DMK for scrapping AIADMK’s welfare initiatives, like the Amma Baby Care Kit and free electricity for farmers, while pointing to the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy as a stark symbol of their administrative failures.
The AIADMK’s digital campaign roared to life on July 13, with its IT wing launching the “DMK’s End Is Near!” hashtag. Freshly crafted infographics spotlighted the DMK’s unfulfilled promises, including affordable essentials and improved infrastructure, resonating with Cuddalore’s youth. EPS’s focus on Cuddalore’s key constituencies, like Kurinjipadi, highlighted his strategy to reclaim AIADMK’s influence in the region, with supporters chanting “EPS: Tamil Nadu’s Savior!” as they waved party flags.
EPS reiterated the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP, promising to deliver central schemes to uplift Cuddalore’s rural communities. He ridiculed Stalin’s claim of winning 200 seats in 2026 as “a delusion of a failing regime.” The day concluded with EPS engaging with local traders and farmers, pledging to revive AIADMK’s legacy of inclusive governance. With its dynamic mix of bold oratory, digital outreach, and grassroots energy, AIADMK’s campaign in Cuddalore is setting the stage for a fierce battle to topple the DMK in 2026.
