Chennai , 05 July (H.S.):Former

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and presently leader of Opposition ,Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday reaffirmed the DMK’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of minority communities, asserting that the party would continue to resist divisive politics and remain a steadfast protector of secular values.

Speaking at the wedding reception of the granddaughter of DMK Headquarters Secretary ‘Thuraimugam’ Kaja in Thiruverkadu, Udhayanidhi said the relationship between the DMK and minority communities was built on decades of mutual trust and could not be undermined by politically motivated campaigns or misinformation.

He said the DMK had consistently stood by minority communities and would continue to do so in the future, adding that the party’s commitment to secularism and inclusive governance remained central to its political ideology.

Without naming anyone, Udhayanidhi took an apparent swipe at former associates who had left the party, remarking that “some people left us as soon as a sofa arrived,” while loyal party workers and members of minority communities had remained firmly with the DMK through every political challenge. Their continued support, he said, reflected the strength of the party’s enduring bond with the people.

Accusing political opponents of attempting to create divisions, Udhayanidhi said such efforts would fail. “No matter who tries to separate us or what slander is spread, the DMK will always remain a protective fortress for minorities and the Islamic community,” he said.

He also conveyed that DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who was originally scheduled to attend the function, was unable to do so, and that he was representing him at the event.

The reception also witnessed a rare display of political cordiality as Udhayanidhi personally welcomed and escorted Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman, one of the guests.

Recalling Kaja’s political journey, Udhayanidhi narrated how Kaja, then an AIADMK candidate against late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi in the 1989 Assembly election, had congratulated Karunanidhi even before the counting concluded by garlanding him. He later joined the DMK and became one of its senior functionaries.

Udhayanidhi said Chief Minister Stalin often refers to Kaja and senior leader Poochi S. Murugan as the “two pillars of Anna Arivalayam,” in recognition of their longstanding service to the party. The event was attended by senior DMK leaders, party workers and members of the Islamic community.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman