The political rivalry between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu intensified on Friday, February 21, as the state BJP launched the hashtag #GetOutStalin to challenge the alleged corrupt governance of the DMK. The hashtag garnered over a million posts and became a trending topic on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
The social media war erupted after Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the Union government release Tamil Nadu’s share of funds. Udhayanidhi warned that if the funds were not released, the DMK would escalate its rhetoric from ‘Go Back Modi’ to ‘Get Out Modi.’
In response, #GetOutModi began trending on social media, prompting BJP state chief K. Annamalai to counter with a challenge of his own, initiating the #GetOutStalin campaign.
Tensions have flared up between the DMK and the BJP over the BJP-led Union government’s insistence on implementing the three-language formula—Tamil, English, and Hindi— in Tamil Nadu under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Union has refused to release Rs 2,190 crore in education funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme unless the state implements the three-language policy. Historically, the DMK has staunchly opposed Hindi imposition and resisted such efforts.
Meanwhile, BJP state chief K Annamalai harshly criticised Udhayanidhi Stalin, referring to him as ‘da’. “If you are an actual man, try uttering the words ‘Get Out Modi.’”
“You do not know how to respect a world leader. You are a small child,” he said addressing Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The political exchange intensified when Udhayanidhi dared Annamalai to come to Anna Salai, the location of the DMK headquarters. “If Annamalai has the guts, let him come to Anna Salai.”
Responding to it, Annamalai said, “You specify the exact location where I need to come. I will come alone when I visit Chennai next time after February 26.”
Meanwhile, he also issued a social media challenge for the DMK IT wing stating that #GetOutStalin will outnumber the trend of #GetOutModi. He said that the Tamil Nadu BJP will begin #GetOutStalin' on social media starting at 6 am on Friday.
Claiming success over the DMK in the challenge, Annamalai said, “The people of Tamil Nadu are making their voices heard! They see the development politics of our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl on one side and the other, the draconian rule of the DMK Govt, which has pushed TN into an era of darkness.” (sic)
He claimed that these anti-Stalin tweets will translate into actual votes in the 2026 Assembly elections and Chief Minister Stalin will be dethroned.