Her remarks come in the aftermath of the party's crushing defeat in the recently concluded Assembly elections, which have triggered intense introspection within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and raised fresh questions about the future of opposition politics in the state.
The Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, formed the government with the support of several former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allies, including the Left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League. These parties extended their support to the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam with the consent of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leadership.
However, the election outcome also exposed deep cracks in the relationship between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress. Tensions escalated after newly elected Congress Members of the Legislative Assembly reportedly did not meet Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin as a courtesy. The Congress subsequently severed its alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and joined hands with the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, a move that Stalin's party described as an act of betrayal.
In response to the electoral setback, MK Stalin has constituted a committee to examine the causes of the party's poor performance. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is also expected to undertake significant organisational changes in the coming months as it attempts to regain political momentum.
With the Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi offering outside support to Vijay's government, and with the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam establishing a strong presence across the state, the future of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's alliance strategy remains uncertain.
It was against this backdrop that Kanimozhi delivered a forceful message to party workers at an event in Thoothukudi. Addressing cadres, she said the party had entered a period of reflection regarding its allies and must focus on strengthening itself. She declared that if the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rebuilt its own organisational strength, it would be capable of winning elections without anyone's support. She asserted that the party would return to power and soon prove its political strength.
Kanimozhi had reportedly expressed interest in contesting the 2026 Assembly election, but permission was denied by the party leadership at the time. Following the recent defeat, party sources indicate that she may now be entrusted with a significantly larger role in Tamil Nadu politics and in the broader effort to restructure the organisation.
Kanimozhi's statement signals a potentially decisive shift in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's political strategy. As alliances fracture and new power centres emerge, her call for self-reliance suggests that the party may seek to reclaim its dominance by rebuilding from within rather than depending on increasingly uncertain coalition partners.
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