AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday (June 18, 2026) alleged that the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government had failed to take adequate steps to secure Cauvery water for kuruvai cultivation in the Delta districts, causing hardship to farmers and depriving agricultural labourers of employment opportunities.

Speaking to reporters after the Governor’s address in the Assembly, Mr. Palaniswami said the Mettur Dam could not be opened on June 12 as the storage level was inadequate.

“The TVK government has Congress members in the Cabinet. It could have used their support to hold talks with the Karnataka Chief Minister and secure the water due to Tamil Nadu as per the monthly schedule,” he said.

Mr. Palaniswami said although the government had announced 436 schemes across various departments at a Cabinet meeting, they did not find mention in the Governor’s address.

Law-and-order issues

He alleged despite Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay making tall promises on curbing drug abuse, ensuring the safety of women and maintaining law and order, the increasing number of crimes in the State was shocking.

“The government has failed to take adequate steps to maintain law and order. Though a Special Drug Prevention Force has been constituted, drug trafficking and sales have increased compared to the past,” he said.

The former Chief Minister claimed in the 38 days since the government assumed office, 150 cases had been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

“A total of 126 cases relating to sexual offences against women have also been registered. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the Singappen Force, which was constituted to protect women, now needs another force to protect itself. It is laughable,” he quipped.

Mr. Palaniswami further said several key promises made by the TVK during the election campaign had not found a place in the Governor’s address. These included increasing financial assistance for women to ₹2,500 per month, providing six free LPG cylinders annually, raising the old-age pension to ₹3,000, introducing the Anna Seer scheme providing one sovereign of gold to women at the time of marriage, gifting a gold ring to every child born in a government hospital, and providing ₹4,000 as unemployment assistance.

“The TVK made glittering promises to secure votes and capture power. There are also unannounced power cuts across the State, particularly during the night. People are unable to sleep,” he said.

On White Paper

Mr. Palaniswami alleged the White Paper on fiscal situation released by the government merely reproduced figures contained in the interim Budget presented by the previous DMK government.

“The White Paper is an admission that the government will not be able to implement its welfare promises. The Chief Minister promised change, but what the people have got is disappointment,” he said.

Resignations of MLAs

Asked about the resignation of former Minister and AIADMK MLA C. Vijayabaskar, Mr. Palaniswami said the question should be posed to him.

When told about the allegation that his leadership was responsible for the party’s electoral setback, Mr. Palaniswami wondered whether the candidate could have won had the leadership been ineffective.

“He won because of strong leadership, the welfare schemes implemented during my tenure as Chief Minister, and the hard work of AIADMK cadres, leaders, and our alliance partners,” he said.

Mr. Palaniswami said those who had resigned their Assembly seats had failed to respect the people who voted for them and the party workers who toiled for their victory. “They will reap the consequences in the future,” he added.

Responding to former Minister C.V. Shanmugam’s demand that the party’s general council be convened immediately, Mr. Palaniswami said, “We have reached this stage only through mere talks and talks.”

He questioned why Mr. Shanmugam had lost the 2021 Assembly election despite the AIADMK’s alliance partner, the PMK, being strong in the northern districts.

“We fielded candidates in the 2026 election based on his recommendations in constituencies such as Villupuram, Vanur, and Tindivanam. Why did those candidates lose? He is making allegations only to create confusion within the alliance,” he said.

Mr. Palaniswami said he would hold consultations with party functionaries in every district.

“They are the people who worked day and night to secure victory for the candidates of the party and its alliance partners. We have already held a meeting with office-bearers from Kancheepuram district and gave everyone an opportunity to express their views. The party leadership will act on the feedback received,” he said.

General council meeting

Mr. Palaniswami said that after obtaining opinions from office-bearers in every district—including MLAs, MPs, former Ministers, former legislators, general council members and executive committee members—the party would convene its general council meeting.

“Only then can we evolve constructive ideas for the growth of the party and analyse the reasons for the defeat,” he said.

Mr. Palaniswami asserted no individual, however influential, could damage the AIADMK.

“We have faced many challenges in the past. We have experienced victories and defeats in equal measure. Even now, we have won 47 seats. I have been accused of facing continuous defeats, but I won my constituency by the largest margin. A change of government is normal in a democracy and is often shaped by circumstances,” he said.

Published – June 18, 2026 02:34 pm IST