Opposition Leader Misleads on Tamil Nadu’s Republic Day Float Denial: Clarifies State Government

Without knowing the proper political procedure, shouting loudly and trying to deceive the media—this is the audacity of the Opposition Leader, Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami!

Republic Day parade floats in New Delhi are allowed on a rotational basis!
For 2023-24, Tamil Nadu Government’s floats are permitted only in 2026. This is the procedure followed by the Union Government.

Speaking without understanding the reality is not awareness but ignorance!

Honorable Minister for Tamil Development and Information, Mr. M.P. Saminathan, has provided clarification for the public to understand.

Opposition Leader, Honorable Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami, has irresponsibly commented today that the Republic Day parade float representing Tamil Nadu in 2025 has been denied permission in the upcoming Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. He has made this statement in a reckless manner, politicizing every government event for selfish gains.

In national events like the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, the selection of floats representing different states is done by a high-level committee under the Union Government. The floats, which showcase the culture, traditions, and heritage of the respective states, are sent for approval to this committee.

Under the able leadership of Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu has consistently showcased exemplary floats. In 2022, the Tamil Nadu float featured statues of Tamil freedom fighters like V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. However, despite the design’s significance, it was denied permission by the Union Government to participate in the parade.

The Union Government has issued a written order stating that floats will be allowed for participation on a rotational basis, where all states are divided into six zones, and floats from each zone will participate for two consecutive years. As per this rule, Tamil Nadu’s next opportunity for participation will be in 2026.

Opposition Leader Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami has chosen to mislead the public with baseless allegations, despite Tamil Nadu’s exceptional floats during the AIADMK regime being denied participation in several years like 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018. During the AIADMK rule, floats were permitted only for six years—2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021—without any consistent pattern.

In the past, the Union Government had no specific rotational policy. It is noteworthy that the high-level committee overseeing the parade floats has highly praised Tamil Nadu’s cultural presentations designed during Honorable Chief Minister Stalin’s tenure.

The Chief Minister’s Dravidian Model governance continues to stand as an example to the country and other states. While the Honorable Opposition Leader should responsibly use his position to suggest constructive policies, instead, he has made baseless accusations. His statements lack credibility and ignore established procedures followed by the Union Government.

It is necessary to emphasize that the rotational policy has been applied uniformly across all states, and Tamil Nadu has not been singled out unfairly. The Union Government’s adherence to this policy must not be misrepresented as bias.

Release by the Director, News & Public Relations, Chennai-9.