Chennai: Eyeing a second term, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin presented a ‘Stalin statement’ Friday, outlining his vision for 2030, attempting to pitch himself as the torchbearer of the state’s Dravidian legacy. Calling it the ‘Dravidian Model 2.0’, Stalin listed out 14 promises that he claimed he would fulfill if he gets elected again.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) held the event named ‘Kanavugal Meippadum’ (dreams taking shape) on the 59th anniversary of the first-ever Dravidian government coming to power in the state. In 1967, DMK leader C. N. Annadurai had ended Congress rule after 20 years.
Emphasising the importance of 6 March, M. K. Stalin called it a day on which the Tamil state stood tall under Anna’s rule.
“On this day in 1967, when the cabinet led by the great scholar Anna took office, laying the foundation for Tamil Nadu’s rise and the resurgence of the Tamil people, I will announce the #StalinStatement for Tamil Nadu’s development over the next 5 years! On this very day when Dravidian rule rose in this land, I am laying the cornerstone for #Dravidian Model 2.0 with the support of all of you!,” he wrote on X.
C. N. Annadurai’s win started an era of Dravidian governments with the main agenda of social justice, rationalism, and Tamil pride. Since then, the Tamil Nadu government has been a Dravidian stronghold, alternating between DMK and AIADMK.
Marking the Dravidian government’s foundation day, Stalin promised better education, health, and housing if his DMK won a second term in the 2026 elections.
Professor Ramu Manivannan, political scientist and former head of the department of politics & public administration, University of Madras, said the symbolism of releasing the ‘Stalin statement’ on the anniversary was “significant”.
“DMK was the first party to move from being a Dravidian movement to a full-fledged political party. They call themselves the mother party among the Dravidian parties that exist and it was in 1972 that AIADMK came into existence. However, AIADMK remains to have a rival narrative by DMK,” he told ThePrint.
The actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a debutant in this election, has also claimed that he follows Dravidian idols C. N. Annadurai and Thanthai Periyar.
“It is only on electoral and political narrative that parties like TVK can build on claiming Dravidian politics, but they cannot even come close to DMK or AIADMK’s ideological history. DMK used cinema as a medium for the politics and for TVK, politics is the medium for survival.
“The historical strength and leadership that DMK has had all these years cannot be compared to any other party. The intellectual basis of political movement is huge and Stalin is establishing himself as being able to take forward the legacy of Dravidian politics,” added Ramu Manivannan.
‘Stalin’s statement’
The announcements were made by Stalin as part of the concluding event of the ‘Ungal Kanavai Sollungal’ (share your dreams) initiative launched by the DMK government on 9 January.
“The initiative was an outreach exercise across the state to understand the expectation of the public from the government, which was undertaken with the help of over 50,000 volunteers who visited around 1.92 crore households across Tamil Nadu for 45 days. It was based on their interaction that the future goals and vision have been planned,” said a state government official associated with the project.
Addressing the public during the event, M. K. Stalin expressed confidence ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. “The Dravidian model government is going to be established again because of the achievements we have made. The blueprint for the next 5 years is ready. We have prepared a blueprint on what needs to be done in the next 5 years,” he said.
The key announcements include expansions in education and skill development, with plans to establish world-class schools, smart classrooms, modern libraries, centres of excellence, and AI-integrated learning systems. The vision targets 90 per cent enrollment in higher education, flexible learning pathways, and industry-aligned skilling to create a highly employable workforce.
“AI-based technologies would be introduced to reduce road accidents, while training programmes will be provided for backward communities in sectors such as textiles, leather, garments and information technology,” Stalin said.
Among announcements on industrial and economic developments in manufacturing, electronics, and MSMEs, he announced ‘Make in Tamil Nadu’ campaigns, semiconductor and advanced electronics policies, sponge cities for sustainable urban development, and enhanced infrastructure like intelligent transport systems and streets for pedestrian-friendly cities.
“The state aims to attract Rs 18 lakh crore in investments to create jobs for five lakh youth. The government will continue to work tirelessly for the welfare of the people and ensure that development initiatives reach every household in Tamil Nadu and continue to march towards the development of Tamil Nadu under the Dravidian Model 2.0 regime,” Stalin added.
Among social welfare commitments, Stalin promised to eradicate poverty, ensure gender equality, provide universal healthcare, and empower women, youth, and marginalised groups. DMK also promised that environmental sustainability is in focus through wetland restoration, climate-resilient agriculture, green energy, and nature-based solutions.
Stalin highlighted the government’s track record, crediting schemes like breakfast programmes, women’s empowerment initiatives, and industrial incentives. He invited public input, describing the event as a collaborative platform where citizens’ dreams shape policy.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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