Minister Claims DMK Shifting to Direct Alliance with BJP
Minister R. Nirmalkumar alleged that the DMK has transitioned from a "covert" to a "direct" alliance with the BJP. He stated this move aims to protect the DMK's "ill-gotten wealth" and follows past instances of political maneuvering.
Key takeaways
- Minister R. Nirmalkumar claims the DMK has moved from an indirect to a direct alliance with the BJP.
- The minister suggested this political shift is intended to protect the DMK's assets.
- Nirmalkumar drew parallels to past DMK-BJP political alignments in Tamil Nadu.
- He also commented on increased investments in the state due to improved governance transparency.
- The Southern Zonal Council meeting is slated for Mamallapuram next week.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law, R. Nirmalkumar, has claimed that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has moved from an indirect political understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a direct alliance. The Minister made these remarks on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a press conference held at the Secretariat in Chennai.
Minister Nirmalkumar's statement came in response to DMK parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi's meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi on Thursday, August 13. The minister suggested that this meeting, along with comments from other party figures, indicated a shift in the DMK's relationship with the BJP. He referenced a statement by former DMK Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan suggesting DMK MP Tiruchi Siva would become a Union Minister, and remarks by former DMK MP Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu and BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan about the fluid nature of political alliances.
Questioning the necessity of Ms. Kanimozhi's meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker, especially when the Speaker had hosted a separate tea party, Mr. Nirmalkumar accused the DMK of compromising with the Union government to safeguard its assets. He drew a parallel to the DMK's decision in 2001 to align with the BJP, thereby granting the party a presence in Tamil Nadu.
The minister also noted the DMK's stance on the proposed Delimitation Bill. While the DMK voted against a related resolution in the State Assembly, Mr. Nirmalkumar pointed out that the party had not explicitly stated its intention to oppose the bill in Parliament.
Separately, Minister Nirmalkumar commented on investments in Tamil Nadu, attributing increased investment activity to the current government's transparency. He alleged that during the previous DMK administration, despite public MoUs, a clandestine agreement was required with a specific family, deterring companies. He stated that current governance transparency is encouraging these companies to invest.
Additionally, Mr. Nirmalkumar announced that the Southern Zonal Council meeting is scheduled to take place in Mamallapuram next week, with arrangements being made though the official schedule was not yet released.
Sources reviewed
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