DMK will rise like a phoenix, says Stalin

DMK president M.K. Stalin. File | Vengadesh The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has risen like a phoenix bird after every defeat, party president M.K. Stalin said on Monday (May 18, 2026).Speaking at the wedding of a Tiruvarur District DMK office-bearer’s family member in Thanjavur on Monday, the former Chief Minister said: “I think some people (here at the wedding) are overwhelmed with woe (due to electoral defeat of the DMK). There is no need to worry, because we are still in power.” The party had tasted both success and defeat over the years, he added.Mr. Stalin, while congratulating the new government, urged it to continue the welfare schemes implemented by his government. “You have seen how the new government has agreed to the request,” he said.DMK’s youth wing leader and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, speaking at the ceremony, said that the present government (headed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) would “be exposed” soon. “In just the past 10 days, people, including the youth and women, who voted for the TVK, have seen the real face of the present regime. As days pass, more people will understand more truths,” he added.Stating that the DMK had lost only in “electoral politics,” Mr. Udhayanidhi said it has never been defeated in “principles-based politics.”Claiming that the DMK was not just a political party but a social movement, Mr. Udhayanidhi opined that electoral defeats may affect other parties but not the DMK. The party would continue to perform its social obligations under the guidance of Mr. Stalin.Adding that DMK would protect the State’s rights, he said the people of Tamil Nadu would come out of their TVK “attraction” and turn towards the DMK. “People have been attracted by its [the TVK’s] glamour now. Such things will not fulfil their basic needs and ensure solutions to their problems,” Mr. Udhayanidhi said. Published - May 18, 2026 12:57 pm IST