Durai Vaiko said that people must understand the sacrifice of a leader who has worked for the Tamil land and the rights of Tamils for more than 60 years and has spent over five and a half years in prison.
MDMK General Secretary Vaiko launched the “Walk for Equality” on January 2, 2026, in Tiruchi, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. As the march reached its concluding phase, Vaiko today undertook the final leg of the walk from Othakkadai to Uthangudi in Madurai. MDMK cadres gave him an enthusiastic welcome with traditional folk performances such as Karagattam, Devarattam, Oyilattam, Puliyattam, Thappattam and Parai music, accompanied by drumbeats and ceremonial music. Vaiko also posed for photographs with the artistes.
Speaking to reporters at Uthangudi, Vaiko said that most leaders of the DMK alliance parties had participated in the march and extended their support. He pointed out that drug abuse was causing severe harm and needed to be controlled. Only after he announced the march, he said, did the AIADMK and BJP begin talking about the issue; until then, they had remained silent. Everyone, he added, has the right to enter politics.
People from the world of art also have the right to enter politics, and he said he would not criticise them. However, those who believe that political success can be achieved easily are building castles of sand, which can collapse at any moment. In the coming elections, the DMK alliance will achieve a massive victory, he asserted. The DMK will form the government with an absolute majority, the Dravidian Model government will return, and Stalin will once again lead Tamil Nadu as Chief Minister, he said.
Continuing, MDMK Principal Secretary and Member of Parliament Durai Vaiko said that leader Vaiko announced the march at the age of 82, despite his heart functioning with the support of a mechanical device. Many, including doctors, advised him against it, but he did not accept their counsel. Every second of the march was physically demanding, and throughout the 11 days, Vaiko endured severe bodily pain. Whenever he experienced breathlessness, he took brief rests and then continued the walk with renewed determination, ultimately completing the journey.
The march, which covered a distance of about 174 kilometres from Tiruchi to Madurai, was undertaken with the noble objective of promoting humanity beyond caste and religious divisions. Creating awareness against the growing culture of drug abuse among the youth was also one of Vaiko’s key goals.
Durai Vaiko said that while Vaiko may have made certain compromises for electoral politics, he has never made any compromise for personal gain. His service and sacrifice should not be belittled. Leaders like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee treated Vaiko like their own son. In contrast, he questioned the political culture followed by today’s Tamil Nadu BJP leaders such as Annamalai and Nainar Nagendran. He accused them of harbouring political animosity towards Vaiko and asked whether mocking a leader who takes to the streets at the age of 82 for the sake of the people is the political culture they wish to promote. He urged them not to direct their political hostility at Vaiko, stating that such behaviour is unacceptable, and spoke with visible anger.