DMK will secure majority, there will be no coalition government: Vaiko

MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Sunday said the ruling DMK would secure a majority in the 2026 Assembly election and there would be no need for a coalition government.

“The MDMK will work hard to ensure victory for the DMK and its alliance partners,” he said, interacting with journalists in Chennai. Asked about the future of the MDMK, he said the party had decided to support the DMK to prevent Hindutva forces from gaining a foothold in Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Vaiko clarified that his party had not made any demand for seeking allocation of seats in two-digits, but had only expressed its desire “to win eight seats to gain recognition from the Election Commission.”

Recalling party MP Durai Vaiko’s earlier response to the media regarding the number of seats the party was planning to contest, he said the former had only said the party might seek 12 seats since it needed to win eight. “Even then, he clearly said a final decision would be taken by party high command,” Mr. Vaiko added.

Mr. Durai Vaiko, who was also present during the media interaction, said reporters in Tiruchi had asked for his reaction to the demand for more seats by the DMK’s allies. “All I said was that every party has the right to expect more from the DMK. I also mentioned that MDMK office-bearers are keen on securing recognition, which requires us to win eight seats. So, we may need to contest in 12 seats. But the media portrayed it as though the MDMK had formally demanded 12 seats,” he clarified.

When asked whether he would demand a reduction in the number of Tasmac-run liquor shops or advocate for their closure, Mr. Vaiko said prohibition was one of the MDMK’s key demands. “I travelled 1,600 km to highlight this issue. We shut down the liquor shop in my village and smashed liquor bottles. When the matter reached the court, the judges in the High Court and Supreme Court refused to intervene, saying it was the will of the village’s people.”

Asked if he would lead similar protests elsewhere, Mr. Vaiko said he would participate if a similar situation arose and people invited him to join protests against liquor shops. He also announced that the MDMK would celebrate the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai by organising a political conference in Tiruchi.