Tamil Nadu assembly poll 2026: EPS files papers, accuses DMK govt of wasting public money

SALEM/COIMBATORE: Accusing the DMK govt of freezing AIADMK-era schemes, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday said those projects will be revived if his party returns to power after the April 23 assembly election.

Palaniswami was speaking to reporters after filing his nomination in the Edappadi constituency in Salem district, marking his eighth contest from the seat. He expressed confidence that the AIADMK alliance would win 210 of the 234 seats and form the govt. Palaniswami said he had fulfilled most of the demands of the people of Edappadi. He added that the remaining demands would also be addressed.




Later, Palaniswami accused the DMK govt of wasting public money on events like the Chennai car race that was conducted in 2024. EPS said deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin should explain “for whom” the car race was conducted.

DMK candidate C Kasi also filed his nomination in Edappadi constituency on Monday.

AIADMK’s S P Velumani filed his nomination in the Thondamuthur constituency in Coimbatore. Before filing his papers, Velumani offered prayers at the Perur Patteeswarar Temple. Former BJP state president K Annamalai accompanied Velumani.

In Avinashi, BJP candidate and Union minister of state L Murugan filed his nomination. He was accompanied by Union minister G Kishan Reddy. Murugan accused the DMK govt of burdening residents through steep power tariff hikes and criticised it over corruption.

DMK Coimbatore South candidate and former minister V Senthil Balaji filed his nomination at the corporation central zone office after a procession from Race Course in which more than 2,000 DMK cadres participated. Cultural performances were also held during the procession. After filing his papers, Balaji said the AIADMK could not claim credit for development projects like the Western Ring Road, G D Naidu Flyover, Semmozhi Park and Periyar Library, arguing that the govt orders, fund allocations and inaugurations of those projects had been carried out by the DMK under chief minister M K Stalin.

AIADMK candidate Amman K Arjunan filed his nomination for Coimbatore South. More than 20 independent candidates filed nominations in the constituency. Four of these candidates’ names start with Senthil.

In Coimbatore North, BJP candidate and Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan filed her nomination at the office of the joint director of agriculture on the Thadagam Road. Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who accompanied her, alleged that people were disillusioned with the DMK govt. Vanathi said a return of the DMK to power would be harmful to the state. Annamalai also joined her during the nomination process.

PMK candidate Sowmiya Anbumani, wife of PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, filed her nomination in Dharmapuri.