The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's call to celebrate "Dravidian Pongal," accusing the ruling DMK of attempting to strip the harvest festival of its Hindu religious elements. This political clash comes ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Stalin, in his New Year's message, urged DMK cadres to organize "Dravidian Pongal" celebrations to promote the "Dravidian model 2.0" regime. He emphasized that Pongal should be celebrated as a festival for all Tamils, transcending caste and religious boundaries, and highlighting the achievements of the DMK government. Stalin also recalled his father and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's call to observe "Samathuva Pongal" or Equality Pongal. In a letter to party members, Stalin asserted the DMK's role as a protector of Tamil identity and social justice. He also attacked the BJP government, accusing it of "deceiving Tamil Nadu" and undermining the state's interests.
The BJP and its ally, AIADMK, have reacted sharply to this call. They allege that DMK is trying to remove Hindu elements from the festival. BJP leaders have described the DMK regime as "anti-Sanatan Dharma" and criticized what they term "appeasement politics". They see the "Dravidian Pongal" initiative as an attempt to distort the festival's traditional Hindu roots.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the "Namma Ooru Modi Pongal" celebrations in Tiruchirappalli, seeking to connect Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Tamil cultural traditions. The BJP aims to strengthen its connection with Tamil culture by celebrating the festival in the Prime Minister's name. Nitin Nabin, BJP national working president, has criticized the DMK's approach to development and culture, alleging that the people of Tamil Nadu are dissatisfied with the DMK government's administrative shortcomings. He also accused the DMK-Congress alliance of corruption and governance failures.
Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in mid-January, primarily by Tamils in Tamil Nadu. Celebrations typically include prayers, feasts, and cultural events. Chief Minister Stalin has encouraged DMK cadres to organize "Samathuva Pongal" events across the state, promoting harmony and equality among different castes and religions. He also suggested organizing sporting events and competitions for men and women at the district level.
As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, the political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu is heating up. The DMK is confident of winning more than 200 seats, highlighting the various schemes implemented by the "Dravidian Model" government. The BJP, on the other hand, is focusing on exposing the DMK's alleged failures and promoting its vision for a prosperous and corruption-free Tamil Nadu. The emergence of actor Vijay's new party, TVK, has added a new dimension to the electoral landscape, potentially influencing the outcome of the elections.
