At a campaign rally in Tamil Nadu on April 5, 2026, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched a fierce attack on Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, labeling him as a figure of betrayal and deceit. Stalin claimed that Palaniswami's campaign is built on slander and falsehoods, stating that the lies he tells could fill books. He recalled Palaniswami's remarks about former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, asserting that Karunanidhi had shown respect for Kamaraj during his final rites. Stalin pointed out that the people of Tamil Nadu rejected Palaniswami in the last election and criticized him for failing to hold the BJP-led Union government accountable for the financial challenges faced by the state. He defended the DMK's achievements, including the pension scheme, and urged the public to support the Secular Alliance in the elections. Stalin dismissed Palaniswami's claims regarding the coupon scheme, arguing that they are baseless and illogical, as the scheme allows people to purchase necessities directly.