Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday appealed to voters in Tamil Nadu to safeguard their identity, language, and constitutional rights as the state prepared to vote in the 2026 Assembly elections. With polling scheduled for April 23, Rahul Gandhi urged people to support the INDIA alliance, comprising the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
In a video message shared on social media, Rahul Gandhi said, “This election is an ideological fight between the Congress-DMK alliance and the BJP-AIADMK alliance.”
He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was exercising control over the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and warned that the contest was about protecting the state’s cultural and linguistic identity. He said, “The BJP controls the AIADMK and they are trying to enter Tamil Nadu to destroy and attack Tamil culture, Tamil language and Tamil tradition.”
Continuing his criticism, Rahul Gandhi linked the political situation to issues of corruption and influence, stating, “The AIADMK leadership is fully compromised by the BJP because of their corruption cases.” He further drew an international comparison in his remarks, saying, “Exactly how Trump has compromised Modi, Modi has compromised the leadership of the AIADMK and they want to rule Tamil Nadu through Delhi.”
Emphasising federal principles and regional governance, Rahul Gandhi said that the people of the state should retain control over their own administration. He stated, “We want Tamil Nadu to be ruled by the people of Tamil Nadu, by the panchayats of Tamil Nadu, by the Assembly and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”
Highlighting the legacy of social justice in the state, Rahul Gandhi referred to past leadership and ongoing political commitments. He said, “We have a proud heritage of social justice in Tamil Nadu. Kamaraj laid the foundation for social justice and the DMK-Congress alliance is continuing that social justice.”
Concluding his message, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “My message to the people of Tamil Nadu: Protect your identity, your language, your rights. Vote for the INDIA alliance. Vote for Congress.”
