A political controversy has erupted over Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s visit to Bihar to participate in Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, with the BJP launching a sharp offensive over past remarks made by DMK leaders. The visit comes ahead of Bihar’s state elections, due later this year.
The BJP has accused Stalin and his party of hypocrisy, citing past “anti-Bihar” and “anti-Sanatana Dharma” comments by senior DMK leaders including Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin and party MP Dayanidhi Maran. The party challenged Stalin to repeat those controversial remarks on Bihari soil.
Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi issued a direct challenge on social media. “I challenge Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is going to Bihar: If you have the courage, can you speak there about your son Udhayanidhi’s statement that ‘Sanatana Dharma must be destroyed’? Furthermore, can you boldly repeat the statement made by your relative and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran that ‘Biharis clean toilets in Tamil Nadu’?” Thirupathi posted on X.
He continued his attack by questioning Stalin’s ideological consistency. “Aren’t you the one who stands tall with principles? Aren’t you the lion of the Dravidian model of self-respect? Let’s see you say it,” he wrote mockingly.
K. Annamalai, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, echoed similar sentiments.“TN CM Thiru @mkstalin avl is in Bihar today. Here is an evergreen compilation of his, his party members’, and his alliance partners’ uncouth remarks about our Bihari brothers and sisters,” he wrote on X. “Hope he takes the stage with Thiru @RahulGandhi avl and proudly repeats every one of those insults in front of the very people he and his party members mocked,” he added.
Annamalai shared a video compilation online, which allegedly includes inflammatory remarks made by various DMK leaders such as TRB Rajaa, KN Nehru, K. Ponmudy, RS Bharathi, and DMK ally and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan.
Union Minister L. Murugan criticised Stalin’s presence at the rally, casting doubt on its relevance. “I don’t know which language he will speak in Bihar. Even if he speaks English, it will reflect his colonial mindset. Our Prime Minister is erasing the colonial mindset and promoting Indian culture,” he said. Murugan questioned the usefulness of Stalin’s participation in the rally, suggesting the message might be lost in translation.
BJP leader C. R. Kesavan joined the criticism, drawing attention to Stalin’s silence on Hindu festivals. “Will MK Stalin, who is joining Rahul Gandhi on his ‘Samvidhan Badnaam Yatra,’ wish the people of Bihar on Ganesh Chaturthi? In the past, he has avoided wishing Tamil people on Hindu festivals,” he said. “What will the people of Bihar think about how senior DMK leaders have previously insulted them?”
The Janata Dal (United) also raised objections to Stalin’s presence in Bihar. JDU leader Abhishek Jha said the people of Bihar were unlikely to accept leaders who had made disparaging remarks.“Rahul ji has called Stalin sahab to Bihar, who has made vulgar comments on Hindu mythology. He also called Revanth Reddy, who questioned the DNA of Biharis. How can Tejashwi Yadav expect support from Biharis with such company?”
The controversies referred to include a viral video of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran from late 2023, in which he allegedly said Hindi-speaking Biharis “build houses and clean toilets” in Tamil Nadu. Another incident involved Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial statement comparing Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria. Despite public backlash and criticism from the Supreme Court, Udhayanidhi refused to retract his comment, saying it reflected the ideals of Dravidian icon Periyar.
Chief Minister Stalin took part in the rally on Wednesday, joining Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Muzaffarpur.
Tejashwi Yadav, addressing the gathering, aimed at the ruling NDA in Bihar.“The full form of NDA is ‘Nahi Denge Adhikar’. The people are with us. They’re aware of how votes are being stolen, and they will protect their rights. The BJP-NDA will be defeated in the coming elections,” Yadav.
The 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' is a 16-day, 1,300-kilometre march through 20 districts of Bihar, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The campaign began on 17 August from Sasaram and is set to conclude in Patna on 1 September with a large public rally.
According to Opposition parties, the recent voter list revision by the Election Commission has led to the deletion of over 65 lakh names, a move they allege is politically motivated and designed to manipulate the electoral outcome in the BJP’s favour.
As part of Wednesday’s leg of the yatra, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav were seen riding motorcycles through the streets of Muzaffarpur, engaging directly with local residents. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined them, seen riding pillion on Rahul Gandhi’s bike.
