Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Warns Against Major Changes to Voter List, Accuses BJP of Political Manipulation

Chennai, Oct 2025 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has cautioned against making any major alterations to the state’s voter list, asserting that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will protect the people’s fundamental right to vote. In a letter addressed to DMK cadres, Stalin urged vigilance amid the Election Commission’s decision to carry out a Special Enrichment Revision (SIR) of voter rolls next week.

Highlighting the importance of democratic integrity, Stalin wrote, “In view of the threat of cyclones and heavy rains, I have personally visited and inspected the affected areas and instructed officials to take necessary precautions. A strong democracy is one where even opposition parties work for the people’s welfare during natural calamities. Unfortunately, the current opposition leader is only focused on political gains during the monsoon season, showing no real intention to serve the people.”

He further dismissed opposition allegations regarding irregularities in paddy procurement as “baseless and politically motivated.” “The continued work of the Dravidian model government has exposed the lies spread by the opposition. We will continue to serve the people, rejecting slander and falsehoods,” he said.

Stalin emphasized that protecting the right to vote was the DMK’s moral and democratic responsibility. Drawing parallels with Bihar, he warned that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre might attempt to manipulate the electoral process. “In Bihar, the Special Comprehensive Amendment Act stripped over 6.5 million people of their voting rights. The BJP government is now trying to repeat the same by using the Election Commission as its puppet,” he alleged.

The Chief Minister accused the BJP and its ally, the AIADMK, of attempting to delete names of working-class people, Scheduled Castes, minorities, and women from the voter list through the SIR process to gain electoral advantage.

“The DMK has directly urged the Election Commission to drop the SIR plan and instead ensure a proper, transparent process to update voter lists. We reserve the right to legally oppose any anti-democratic move that threatens citizens’ rights,” Stalin said.

Reaffirming the party’s commitment to grassroots work, he announced a training meeting on October 28 at the Confluence Arena, East Coast Road, Mahabalipuram, to discuss the issue and coordinate party efforts.