Pawan Kalyan accused Chief Minister Stalin of defying his father’s vision, saying it's surprising he opposes Karunanidhi’s idea. He criticised frequent elections for wasting resources and diverting focus from development
Published May 26, 2025 | 4:37 PM ⚊ Updated May 26, 2025 | 4:37 PM
Andhra Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan
Synopsis: The Tamil Nadu BJP, led by Nainar Nagendran, hosted a Chennai seminar backing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative. Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan urged CM Stalin to adopt the idea, calling it Karunanidhi’s dream. Highlighting shared Tamil-Telugu heritage, Nagendran emphasized the historic unity of the two states, invoking icons MGR and NTR from their freedom struggle legacy
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of state president Nainar Nagendran, held a seminar in Chennai on Monday,26 May, in support of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative.
The event was attended by Jana Sena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to implement what he described as the dream of the late DMK leader M Karunanidhi—One Nation, One Election.
In his welcome address, BJP state president Nainar Nagendran said, “Tamil and Telugu people share deep cultural ties. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have long-standing historical and cultural connections. During the freedom struggle, both states fought shoulder to shoulder. In Tamil Nadu, it is MGR; in Andhra Pradesh, it is NTR.”
Backing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, Nagendran said the system would save time and taxpayers’ money, allowing governments to focus on development work instead of continuous election cycles. He also invited Pawan Kalyan to attend the BJP’s upcoming conference in Madurai on 22 June.
Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, senior BJP leader and state coordinator for the One Nation, One Election campaign in Tamil Nadu, welcomed Pawan Kalyan in Telugu. In her speech, she stated, “His presence here proves that Tamil Nadu is a land of spirituality, not a land of Periyar, but of Periyazhwar. This is not Annadurai’s land, but Andal’s land.”
Taking a dig at critics of the simultaneous polls idea, she said, “In Tamil Nadu, political leaders ask what happens if governments collapse mid-term. As a doctor, I find this question absurd—it’s like asking, ‘What if a pregnancy ends in abortion?’ just because you’re planning for childbirth.”
She added, “Just as we say, ‘We two, ours one’ to maintain family finances, the nation too needs financial prudence. Frequent elections strain national resources.” She ended her speech with her signature line: “Even if the sun doesn’t rise, even if hands don’t rise, the lotus will bloom.”
Speaking in Tamil, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan said, “Some of you may know I grew up in Tamil Nadu. Though I left three decades ago, Tamil Nadu has never left me. The impact it had on me is deep—from the Tirukkural to martial arts, it influenced my life profoundly.
This is the land of Thiruvalluvar, the Siddhars, Lord Murugan, Mahakavi Bharathiyar, and the revolutionary leader MGR, thousands of temples and the spirit of Jallikattu.”
He said the experiences he gained in Tamil Nadu served as the guiding force in his life.
Kalyan argued that simultaneous elections are not a new concept for India. “From 1950 to 1967, both Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections were held at the same time,” he pointed out.
Criticising opposition parties, he said, “They are two-faced. If they win, elections were fair; if they lose, they blame EVMs. Similarly, when One Nation, One Election was supported earlier, it was praised. Now, the same idea is vilified.”
Quoting a Telugu proverb—“If a mother-in-law breaks the mud pot, it’s mud; if the daughter-in-law breaks it, it’s gold,”—he accused opposition parties of hypocrisy.
Pawan Kalyan claimed that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had once supported simultaneous elections. “Unfortunately, his own party, the DMK, is opposing it today.
Those who now oppose One Nation, One Election should read Karunanidhi’s book Nenjukku Neethi where he supports the idea. What we’re proposing today is nothing but the fulfilment of his vision.”
Accusing CM Stalin of going against his father’s ideals, Pawan said, “It’s surprising that M.K. Stalin is opposing an idea once put forth by his father. Over the decades, India has been in a state of perpetual elections, draining money, time, and human resources, and distracting governments from developmental priorities.”
Citing Tamil Nadu as an example, he said, “Assembly elections happened in 2021, followed by local body elections in 2022, and then the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. This constant cycle diverts focus away from long-term growth.”
He added that ruling and opposition parties alike have become election-focused strategists, prioritising electoral gains over people’s needs.
Referring to the Ram Nath Kovind committee report, Kalyan said implementing the One Nation, One Election model could increase India’s GDP by 1.5 percent, or roughly ₹4.6 lakh crore.
Pawan Kalyan appealed to Chief Minister Stalin to reconsider the resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly opposing the proposal. “Even if there are concerns about language imposition or federalism, personal opinions must not override the national interest,” he said.
“One Nation, One Election is not just a political reform, it is an economic and administrative reform. Most importantly, it is a reform essential for both India and Tamil Nadu. Let us accept this as united Indians,” he concluded.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
