Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant on 1 January 2026 urged the Tamil Nadu government to consider and fulfil the demands presented by secondary grade teachers and sanitation workers as their protests continue across the State.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Ms Vijayakant said the DMDK would stand firmly with the protesting workers and called on ministers to resolve outstanding issues promptly to avoid further disruption to public services and schooling.
Tamil Nadu teachers and sanitation workers protest
Ms Vijayakant highlighted that the protests centred on pay, job security and working conditions for secondary-grade teachers, along with demands from sanitation staff for better wages and safeguards. While she did not list every demand, she urged the State government to open talks and set clear timelines for implementation.
“The State must listen and act,” she told journalists. “Swift, transparent negotiations will calm public concern and restore confidence in local administration.”
The DMDK leader also placed the protests in the wider political context, saying the Assembly elections due later this year in Tamil Nadu would be unprecedented. She predicted strong prospects for a coalition administration and said that her party’s alliance decisions would be finalised after its State conference on 9 January.
On questions about possible meetings with national leaders, Ms Vijayakant said the DMDK had not been invited to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the State on 4 January. She added that the party’s focus remained on its own conference and on strengthening engagement with grassroots organisers.
Beyond the immediate labour issues, Ms Vijayakant urged the State government to take tougher measures against the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, linking public health and safety to broader governance concerns.
The DMDK has scheduled a meeting of district secretaries at its Koyambedu headquarters in Chennai on 5 January, reflecting an organisational push to consolidate positions ahead of both the State conference and the elections. Party officials said the meeting will prepare local leaders for outreach to voters and workers affected by the protests.
Political analysts say the DMDK’s public support for teachers and sanitation workers could increase the party’s appeal among government employees and urban service workers, groups that play a key role in local polling districts. Whether that support translates into electoral gains will depend on subsequent alliance choices and the party’s capacity to convert sympathy into organised votes.
For now, the immediate expectation is for the State government to respond to the calls for dialogue. With assembly polls approaching, swift engagement on the demands may prove politically beneficial and help defuse tensions among frontline public servants.
Key Takeaways:
- DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant urged the Tamil Nadu government to address demands from secondary grade teachers and sanitation workers.
- She pledged party support for the Tamil Nadu teachers and sanitation workers protest and signalled potential coalition shifts ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
- The DMDK will decide on alliances after its State conference on 9 January and holds a district secretaries meeting on 5 January.
- Vijayakant also called for stronger action to curb drug sales during her Chennai briefing.
