Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday made it clear that the party remains unfazed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids or pressure from the BJP-led central government, asserting that the DMK will face all legal challenges head-on.

Speaking to the media after reviewing welfare schemes at the Pudukkottai Collectorate, Udhayanidhi said, “We are not afraid of ED or Modi. The DMK nurtured by Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) is a party with self-respect, firmly moored to the principles of Periyar (E.V. Ramasamy).” His remarks came in response to the recent ED searches at TASMAC offices and criticism from the AIADMK over Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's visit to Delhi for the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting.

Dismissing the AIADMK’s allegations that the Chief Minister rushed to Delhi due to fear of central action, Udhayanidhi clarified, “He has gone to attend the meeting to secure funds for Tamil Nadu. This is about governance, not fear.”

Reiterating the party’s stand on federalism, Udhayanidhi asserted, “They (the BJP government) have tried to intimidate us in the past, but we refused to yield. Ours is not a party with a servitude mindset. We will continue to fight for state rights and meet all cases legally.”

The Deputy CM also oversaw distribution of welfare schemes worth ₹40.54 crore to 1,195 beneficiaries in Pudukkottai district.