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Tiruchirapalli/Trichy: In a move that could reshape Tamil Nadu's administrative landscape, senior DMK Ministers K.N. Nehru and Anbil Mahesh have formally petitioned the party's election manifesto committee to declare Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) as the second capital of the state. The demand was submitted during the DMK manifesto drafting committee's public consultation meeting in Trichy on Wednesday, directly to committee chairperson and MP Kanimozhi.
DMK Manifesto Committee Tour: Ministers Advocate for Trichy as Administrative Hub
The petition, submitted as both ministers hail from the Trichy district, urges the party to commit to shifting a significant portion of government departments to the central city. The DMK's manifesto committee, led by Kanimozhi, is currently touring the state to gather inputs for its 2026 Assembly election policy document. Ministers Nehru and Mahesh argued that granting Trichy second capital status would decentralize administration, generate employment, and spare citizens from across the state the need to travel to Chennai for official work.
Beyond the Capital: Key Demands for Transport, Education, and Tamil Heritage
Alongside the capital demand, several other key petitions were presented for the Trichy region. These included:
"Manifesto is Our Hero": Minister Nehru's Direct Appeal to Kanimozhi
Invoking former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's legacy, Minister K.N. Nehru made a passionate appeal, stating, "Karunanidhi used to say that the election manifesto is always the hero for the DMK." He emphasized the committee's critical role in securing victory and urged Kanimozhi to ensure Trichy features prominently. "I was disappointed last time because [Trichy] didn't come [into the manifesto]. I shouldn't be disappointed this time. That's why I rushed here first," he added, highlighting the local leadership's strong push for the demand.
The submission has sparked speculation on whether the DMK's 2026 manifesto will incorporate this long-standing regional aspiration, a move that could significantly influence voter sentiment in central Tamil Nadu. The party's final manifesto is anticipated to be a cornerstone of its campaign to retain power.
