Edappadi K. Palaniswami, general secretary of the AIADMK and leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu, is widely regarded as a grounded leader. Having steered the party through turbulent times following the death of J. Jayalalithaa, Palaniswami now stands as the principal hope of the opposition AIADMK. Despite a decade marked by internal upheaval and defections, he has managed to consolidate the party and keep it united in the face of sustained challenges.
Palaniswami is determined to deliver in the April 23 election and set the AIADMK back on a path to success. At 71, he is spearheading the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP in Tamil Nadu, a state where his party has traditionally opposed the saffron party. Yet, he has navigated this partnership carefully, ensuring that the BJP aligns with his broader electoral strategy and supports him on the ground. Having travelled extensively across the state and campaigned in more than 200 constituencies, Palaniswami has reinforced his image as an able administrator, known for his simple and unassuming manner. At a time when critics argued that the AIADMK had compromised its identity by allying with the BJP, he ensured that the BJP contested only in constituencies chosen by him, reflecting his confidence in the AIADMK’s organisational strength.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Palaniswami says this election carries a profound sense of responsibility for him. Excerpts:
As a leader and a veteran in Tamil Nadu politics, you have faced many elections before. How different is this election?
Every election is important, but this one feels particularly significant because it is not just about a change of government; it is about restoring confidence in governance itself. In earlier elections, the contest was often about competing visions of development or welfare. Today, what I see on the ground is something deeper. People are asking more fundamental questions about accountability, delivery and trust. There is a growing gap between what was promised and what has actually been delivered over the last five years, and that gap has created a sense of disappointment. Another difference is the level of political awareness among voters. People are not easily influenced by slogans or narratives anymore. They are comparing performance, recalling past governance, and making informed choices.
For me personally, this election also carries a sense of profound responsibility. After the passing of Amma, the AIADMK has gone through a period of difficult transition, consolidation, and renewal. Today, we stand united and prepared. This election is about taking that renewed strength back to the people and offering them a stable, credible alternative.
You have travelled across the state and met people on the ground. How do people react? Do you see an anti-incumbency wave and a pro-AIADMK wave?
My travels across Tamil Nadu have been extensive, and what I have seen is both humbling and revealing. There is clearly a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the present government. People speak openly about issues that affect their daily lives—rising cost of living, concerns about safety, lack of job opportunities, and the neglect of farmers. This is not limited to one region or one section of society; it is consistent across districts. At the same time, what stands out is the warmth and trust that people continue to show towards the AIADMK. Many people recall the public order, stability and responsiveness they experienced during our tenure. They speak about schemes that reached them directly, and about a government that they could approach. I would say there is both an anti-incumbency sentiment and a growing positive expectation from the AIADMK. But more than waves or trends, what I see is a quiet but firm shift in public mood—people are ready for change, and they are looking for a government they can trust again.
The DMK is harping on Stalin’s image to fight this election. Do you think Stalin is looked at as a leader who had actually delivered? What is your opinion about Stalin as a chief minister?
Elections cannot be sustained on image building alone. Ultimately, people judge a government by what they experience in their daily lives. When the DMK came to power, M. K. Stalin spoke about a new model of governance. But what people have seen over the last few years is a gap between projection and performance. Across the state, there are serious concerns about law and order, the rise in drug-related issues, widespread corruption, unemployment, and the overall lack of responsiveness of the administration.
People expect strong and decisive leadership. They expect the CM to address issues directly and take responsibility. Instead, there is often a sense that governance is being managed through messaging and optics rather than through action. There is also a growing perception that power is concentrated within a limited circle, comprising the CM’s immediate and extended family, which raises larger questions about accountability and fairness. Tamil Nadu has a history of strong leadership under Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and Amma, where the CM was seen as directly connected to the people. That is the benchmark people continue to use. In comparison, many feel that the present leadership has not fully met those expectations.
Your icon MGR was the most successful superstar and the most successful politician ever. So was Jayalalithaa. Do you think anyone coming into Tamil Nadu politics from cinema in the near future can actually perform like them? If not, why?
The success of leaders like Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and Madam Jayalalithaa cannot be attributed only to their popularity in cinema. What made them exceptional was their deep and sustained connection with the people, especially the poor and downtrodden. They built movements, not just followings. They spent years understanding the needs of society, shaping policies, and standing with people during difficult times. Their leadership was defined by selfless service, sacrifice, and commitment. Cinema may give visibility, but politics requires credibility. It requires organisational strength, patience, and the ability to translate public trust into governance. In Tamil Nadu, people give due credit for achievement, but they also test sincerity. Anyone entering politics from any background will ultimately be judged on their ability to deliver, to stay consistent, and to build trust over time. That is not something that can be achieved overnight.
This is the second assembly election you are leading in the absence of Jayalalithaa. Have you been able to fill the void created by her absence?
The absence of Amma is something that every cadre of the AIADMK feels, even today. She was not just a leader; she was a guiding force who shaped the party and connected deeply with the people. Personally, there have been many moments when I have felt that void, especially during critical decisions or difficult phases. But at the same time, her principles and her vision continue to guide us. I do not see leadership as replacing her or filling her space. That is neither possible nor appropriate to even think on those lines. Leaders like Amma are unique and incomparable. My responsibility has been to preserve and strengthen the movement she built, and to carry forward her commitment to the people. After her passing, the party went through a challenging phase. There were attempts to divide it, and that created uncertainty. But it was the strength of our cadre and their unwavering belief in the ideals of MGR and Amma that kept the movement intact. Today, the AIADMK stands united, stronger, and more disciplined. If there is warmth and connection with the cadre, it comes from shared struggle and mutual trust. My focus has always been to remain accessible, to listen, and to lead with sincerity. Ultimately, it is the cadre and the people who will judge how they see the leadership.