Chennai, May 18, 2026: Even as the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government settles into power, opposition leaders have launched fresh, sharp attacks. Senior DMK leader and Tiruchendur MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan on Sunday made a bold prediction: the TVK-led administration under Chief Minister Joseph Vijay will not survive beyond six months.
Speaking at a party event in southern Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan confidently asserted that former Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin – who lost his own Kolathur seat in the April 2026 election – would return to power soon. “Only four more months this government will survive,” the DMK MLA declared.
Resign and Face Me in Tiruchendur: DMK MLA’s Direct Challenge to TVK Leader
In a dramatic escalation of political rhetoric, Anitha Radhakrishnan issued a direct challenge to Aadhav Arjuna, a senior TVK leader who won the Villivakkam seat in the recent election. Radhakrishnan dared Arjuna to resign from his MLA position for a face-to-face contest.
If you have guts, resign your MLA position, I will also do it. Let’s face off in Tiruchendur. This is our town. We will defeat anyone, Radhakrishnan said, doubling down on his confidence in his home constituency.
The Tiruchendur seat has been Radhakrishnan’s stronghold for 25 years. Interestingly, he first won it in 2001 for the DMK’s arch-rival, the AIADMK, before retaining it for the DMK in 2009. This long history adds weight to his challenge.
MK Stalin’s Kolathur Loss Defended; Swipe at Voters
Anitha Radhakrishnan also came to the defense of MK Stalin, who suffered a shocking defeat in his own Kolathur constituency to VS Babu – a disgruntled former DMK leader who joined the TVK. Radhakrishnan suggested that Stalin should contest from Trichy in the future.
We want our ‘thalaivar’ (leader) MK Stalin to contest in Trichy. Stalin changed Kolathur as Singapore, Radhakrishnan said, praising Stalin’s development work. However, he then took a swipe at the Kolathur voters, calling them “worthless” for not re-electing their sitting CM.
He added confidently, Thalaivar’ is the next chief minister. After four or six months our leader will become chief minister.
Political Context: TVK’s Historic Win and Post-Poll Drama
The DMK MLA’s prediction comes amid an increasingly bitter political battle between the TVK and DMK. Joseph Vijay’s TVK pulled off one of the biggest political upsets in Tamil Nadu in decades, sweeping 108 of the state’s 234 seats – just 10 short of a majority.
This result broke the 62-year cycle of the DMK and AIADMK alternately winning elections. The TVK eventually bridged the 10-seat gap with support from the Congress, two Left parties, and the VCK – all former DMK allies. Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister and later sailed through a trust vote (144 to 22), even as a section of AIADMK MLAs defied their party whip to vote for him.
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No Official Response Yet from TVK
As of now, neither Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s office, nor the TVK party, nor Aadhav Arjuna have responded to Anitha Radhakrishnan’s remarks. However, the ruling party has previously dismissed opposition claims that its government is unstable.
The DMK, now out of power, has been launching sustained attacks on the TVK over governance, appointments, and administrative decisions. But with a clear majority in the assembly, the TVK government appears secure for the time being.
This is a developing political story. Your News Website will bring you more updates as reactions come in from the TVK and the Chief Minister’s office.
