Edappadi Palaniswami Slams MK Stalin: “DMK Betrayed People Over NEET”
In a fiery Assembly session, AIADMK’s Edappadi Palaniswami held DMK accountable for NEET, accusing the party of betrayal and false promises during the 2021 polls.
Key Highlights:
In a heated exchange during the Tamil Nadu Assembly session on Monday, Edappadi Palaniswami attacked MK Stalin over the contentious NEET issue, sparking a political storm in the state. The AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition (LoP) lashed out at the ruling DMK, accusing it of betraying the people of Tamil Nadu by enabling the introduction of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
The debate emerged during discussions on grants for the Health Department, but quickly turned into a political battle over accountability and past alliances.
“Who Introduced NEET?”: Edappadi Palaniswami’s Sharp Questions
Palaniswami didn’t hold back during his address. He directly blamed the DMK for NEET, saying:
- The DMK was a part of the UPA government when NEET was first introduced at the national level.
- NEET implementation in Tamil Nadu also occurred when DMK was in power.
- In the 2021 Assembly elections, DMK falsely promised to abolish NEET to secure public support.
“Who brought NEET in the first place? It was the UPA government, of which DMK was a partner,” said Palaniswami.
He alleged that DMK won power on a “fake promise” and had failed to deliver on one of the most emotionally charged issues for Tamil Nadu’s student community and parents.
MK Stalin Responds: “Who’s Betraying Whom?”
Chief Minister MK Stalin didn’t let the attack go unanswered. In a calm yet pointed response, he questioned AIADMK’s alliance decisions, particularly its recent ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has nationally supported NEET.
MK Stalin’s counter-arguments included:
- DMK never betrayed the people and always opposed NEET.
- AIADMK’s alliance with BJP contradicts their anti-NEET stance.
- AIADMK earlier vowed not to ally with BJP again but reversed their position within two months.
“You said no alliance with BJP even till 2031. Now you’ve run to them. Who’s doing drama here?” Stalin asked.
He further challenged AIADMK to make NEET abolition a condition in their alliance agreement with the BJP, if their stance was genuine.
Key Points from the NEET Debate
The Assembly witnessed back-and-forth arguments, highlighting long-standing political tensions:
- DMK’s 2021 Promise: The party pledged to eliminate NEET in Tamil Nadu but is yet to achieve that, citing legal hurdles.
- AIADMK’s Stand: Accused DMK of using NEET as a political bait while allying with BJP despite national support for NEET.
- Past Political Alliances: Palaniswami defended AIADMK’s BJP alliance by pointing out that DMK had done the same in 1999.
“If you could ally with BJP in 1999, why can’t we do it now?” Palaniswami retorted.
NEET Continues to Divide Tamil Nadu Politics
NEET has long been a politically explosive issue in Tamil Nadu:
- Public Sentiment: Strong opposition across social, student, and political groups.
- Judicial Roadblocks: Despite opposition, court rulings have upheld NEET, complicating any attempt at state-level exemption.
- Electoral Strategy: Both DMK and AIADMK have used NEET stances to gain voter trust, often shifting positions depending on alliances.
What This Means for Tamil Nadu’s Political Landscape
The latest clash, where Edappadi Palaniswami attacks MK Stalin over NEET, underscores that the entrance exam will remain a major electoral and legislative issue in Tamil Nadu. As alliances shift and 2026 looms closer, parties are likely to use NEET as both a campaign weapon and a loyalty test for alliances.
The DMK government faces growing pressure to fulfill its promise, while AIADMK must navigate its ties with the BJP without losing anti-NEET support.
As the 2026 elections draw near, the public will be watching both parties closely—not just for rhetoric, but for results.
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