Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), the AIADMK General Secretary, electrified Tamil Nadu’s political landscape with his ongoing “Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom” (Let’s Protect People, Let’s Redeem Tamil Nadu) campaign, drawing massive crowds in a powerful show of support. The event, part of his statewide tour launched on July 7 from Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, saw EPS deliver a blistering speech that took aim at the ruling DMK and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

EPS, speaking to a massive gathering in Chennai, portrayed the DMK as a regime disconnected from the masses. He accused Stalin of burdening citizens with steep tax hikes and soaring electricity tariffs, calling them “anti-people” measures that have crushed the common man’s hopes. “While Stalin dreams of a dynasty, Tamil Nadu’s farmers and youth are left grappling with broken promises,” EPS declared, highlighting the DMK’s failure to abolish NEET and waive student loans—key pledges from their 2021 manifesto. He didn’t hold back, mocking Stalin’s leadership as a “circus of unfulfilled vows,” pointing to the tragic Kallakurichi hooch tragedy as evidence of administrative collapse under DMK’s watch.

The AIADMK leader also took a swipe at Stalin’s family-centric politics, accusing the DMK of prioritizing power over public welfare. EPS contrasted this with AIADMK’s legacy, invoking M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa’s people-first governance. He rallied supporters with a call to unite against the “corrupt DMK regime,” promising that AIADMK would form a majority government in 2026 without relying on coalitions. The crowd roared as EPS vowed, “Tamil Nadu deserves better than Stalin’s empty slogans!”

This campaign, fueled by a dynamic social media drive called “Adieu Stalin,” has resonated widely, with AIADMK’s digital team amplifying EPS’s message across online platforms. As Tamil Nadu gears up for 2026, EPS’s fiery rhetoric signals a fierce fight ahead.