R ARIVANANTHAM
TIRUCHI, APR 19
In a blistering election offensive, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the BJP of attempting a “backdoor takeover” of Tamil Nadu through the AIADMK, alleging a larger plan to install a “puppet chief minister” who would function at the behest of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
LIVE: Public Meeting | Thuraiyur, Tamil Nadu https://t.co/UreWg0Tt4d
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2026
LIVE: Public Meeting | Ranipet, Tamil Nadu https://t.co/MRnecM4Je8
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2026
Addressing a high-voltage rally in Chennai, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, “Today’s AIADMK is fundamentally different… it is a mask for the BJP, a method for the BJP-RSS to infiltrate Tamil Nadu.”
He alleged that the ruling party at the Centre seeks political control over the state by indirect means. “The BJP knows it cannot control M K Stalin… so it wants to remove him and install a puppet who will listen exactly to what Narendra Modi and Amit Shah want,” Gandhi said.
‘Agencies, corruption, pressure’: AIADMK under fire
Gandhi claimed that AIADMK leaders are “compromised because of their corruption,” adding that central agencies were being used as leverage.
“The ED, CBI and Income Tax are used against them—and that is their biggest weakness,” he alleged.
While acknowledging AIADMK’s historical role, he said, “Today’s AIADMK is not the same party… its soul has been captured.”
Women’s bill row: ‘Camouflage for electoral redesign’
On the defeat of the women’s reservation legislation, Gandhi alleged hidden political intent.
“They were not trying to pass the women’s bill… it was a camouflage to push delimitation and change the electoral map of India,” he claimed.
He added, “What they wanted was to reduce representation of South India and smaller states. We joined forces and defeated this nefarious design.”
Attack on Centre’s governance, foreign policy claims
Escalating his rhetoric, Gandhi accused the Centre of fostering division.
“They spread hatred, create fights between religions, languages and communities… attack minorities and weaken the country,” he said.
He further alleged, “The BJP wants to support two or three big companies to fund its electoral machine.”
In a controversial claim, he said, “Narendra Modi is a compromised Prime Minister… controlled externally… and India’s interests have been sold.”
‘Tamil identity, social justice under threat’
Positioning Tamil Nadu’s model as a counterpoint, Gandhi said, “One thing that irritates them most is Tamil Nadu’s history of social justice… equality and fairness.”
He asserted, “They hate your culture, tradition and language… Tamil is not an ordinary language, it is your soul.”
‘I am your soldier in Delhi’: Personal pitch to voters
Striking an emotional chord, Gandhi said, “My relationship with Tamil Nadu is not political… it is of love and respect.”
Reaffirming commitment, he added, “I am your soldier in Delhi. Whatever Tamil Nadu needs, I will fight for it.”
Ending with a direct appeal, he declared, “They can dream, but we will never allow BJP-RSS to enter Tamil Nadu or attack Tamil identity.”
