Key Takeaways

• M.K. Stalin labeled the defection of AIADMK MLAs as 'horse trading at horse speed' during a trust vote.
• He accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam of exposing its 'fake anti-BJP' stance after joining hands with Congress.
• R.S. Bharathi warned of legal action against the TVK for spreading misinformation regarding a Sulur case.
• The DMK claims the ruling party is diverting attention from rising crime rates through false propaganda.

M.K. Stalin, the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has launched a scathing verbal assault on the ruling Tamil Nadu government. On Monday, May 25, 2026, Stalin described the resignation of three AIADMK MLAs and their immediate arrival at the Secretariat to join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as “horse trading at horse speed.” His comments come in the wake of a contentious trust vote period, where political alliances shifted rapidly, leading to accusations of unethical political maneuvering from the opposition.

Stalin articulated his grievances through a social media message, arguing that the ruling party, which had previously proclaimed itself a “clean force,” has now been “thoroughly exposed and have become a tragic force.” He detailed a three-stage strategy employed by the TVK, suggesting that the party first sought support from leaders of the DMK’s alliance partners, then bargained with a section of AIADMK MLAs and a lone MLA from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) during the trust vote, and finally engineered the resignations of AIADMK members to join their party directly within the Secretariat.

“Did people vote for you just to witness these unsavoury scenes?” Stalin asked, challenging the moral legitimacy of the current political developments. He further criticized the TVK’s alliance with the Indian National Congress, stating that the unfolding drama had exposed the “fake anti-BJP stand” of the Congress party. Stalin noted that the Congress had only agreed to join the TVK government after it was assured that the ruling party would refrain from seeking support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a move he implied was inconsistent and opportunistic.

The DMK’s organizational machinery quickly amplified Stalin’s critique. DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi, speaking at a media conference held at Anna Arivalayam, the party’s headquarters, characterized the resignations as a clear case of “Aya Ram Gaya Ram.” This Hindi expression, which translates to “Ram has come, Ram has gone,” is traditionally used in Indian politics to refer to turncoats who switch parties for personal gain. Bharathi alleged that such practices were previously “unknown to Tamil Nadu” but had now begun, signaling a change in the state’s political culture.