AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s recent campaign speeches are drawing attention for a noticeable change in tone, with many observers saying it echoes the style once associated with late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
According to the report, Palaniswami initially addressed meetings using collective phrasing such as “we” and “our government”. As his speeches began receiving strong responses, he sharpened his attacks on Chief Minister M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin, which also drew applause and made his campaign appearances stand out for their intensity.
In the past few days, however, his language has reportedly shifted further—moving away from “we/our” to “I/my”. Phrases like “I say” and “my order” have been highlighted as a new pattern in his public addresses.
Jayalalithaa was known for using similar first-person assertions—such as “I have ordered” and “my rule”—to project firm control over the party and to signal that she was unafraid of challenges. The report says Palaniswami’s adoption of a comparable style has surprised many.
AIADMK insiders quoted in the report interpret this as an indirect message that decision-making power rests with him and that opposition within the party will not be tolerated. Others argue it is also an attempt to project himself as a strong leader, noting that Tamil Nadu’s electorate has historically gravitated toward leaders seen as decisive. Ultimately, the report concludes, election results will determine how this projection is judged.
