Rahul Gandhi Accuses AIADMK Of Supporting BJP Influence In Tamil Nadu

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) of “surrendering” to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the regional party’s alignment was undermining Tamil Nadu’s political autonomy. He made the remarks while addressing an election rally in Kanniyakumari ahead of the April 23 Assembly polls.

Gandhi claimed that the AIADMK leadership under Edappadi K. Palaniswami was no longer functioning as an independent regional force and was instead facilitating the BJP’s expansion in the state. He alleged that corruption had weakened the party’s internal decision-making and turned it into what he described as a “gateway” for the BJP’s influence in Tamil Nadu politics.

The Congress leader also targeted the ideological influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that it was attempting to extend its reach into Tamil Nadu despite opposition to Dravidian political traditions. He said such efforts were aimed at reshaping the state’s identity and political structure through indirect means.

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Emphasising the importance of federalism, Gandhi said India’s strength lies in the diversity of its states, arguing that each state must retain the right to govern itself. He criticised what he described as the BJP’s push for uniformity, alleging that it promotes a single language, identity, and historical narrative across the country.

He further stated that Tamil Nadu’s governance should remain firmly in the hands of its people, in line with the principles of decentralisation and regional self-determination. According to him, any move towards centralisation would weaken democratic structures and reduce the autonomy of states.

In a more controversial remark, Gandhi alleged that international and domestic political influences were being used to shape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, though he did not provide evidence to support these claims. He suggested that such dynamics were part of broader attempts to consolidate control over regional politics.

Reaffirming the position of the DMK-Congress alliance, Gandhi said the coalition remained committed to protecting Tamil Nadu’s linguistic, cultural, and historical identity. He urged voters to support the alliance, stating that it was necessary to safeguard state rights and preserve Tamil Nadu’s distinct heritage amid what he described as increasing central interference.

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