Chennai: Quoting iconic Dravidian leader C N Annadurai, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said rivals will be afraid to tamper with the DMK regime's welfare schemes aimed at boosting education and uplifting students, fearing backlash from beneficiaries who fully support them.

Annadurai, in his tenure as chief minister between 1967 and 1969, had listed landmark achievements including naming the state Tamil Nadu, rejecting Hindi in favour of the two-language norm of Tamil and English, and legally recognising self-respect marriages, Udhayanidhi said, addressing a mega education event on Thursday night.

"Anna had said that if his successors thought of changing (scrapping) the three schemes, they would get fear in their hearts, thinking what people would do. Till such fear occupies their minds, Anna said he will be the chief minister," he added.

The deputy chief minister said he would modify the quote for present times: "Our chief minister, our Dravidian model government has given the people schemes such as the CM's Breakfast Scheme for school children, Pudhumai Penn, Tamil Pudhalvan, and Naan Mudhalvan. Someday in future, if rivals even think of changing such schemes, their hearts will dread, and till such fear exists, M K Stalin will be the chief minister."

He highlighted Tamil Nadu's pioneering role in introducing the mid-day meal scheme in 1920, an initiative started by the Justice Party.

Tamil Pudhalvan and Pudhumai Penn provide Rs 1,000 monthly assistance to college students. Naan Mudhalvan is an employment-centric skill development initiative with scholarships. The breakfast plan ensures food for children in government and state-aided schools.

Udhayanidhi said the Naan Mudhalvan scheme has transformed youth from job seekers to job providers. The state government has also emphasised education and sports, launching the Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation in 2023, with the chief minister personally contributing Rs 5 lakh as the first supporter.

He noted that the state's unique schemes inspired other states, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressing willingness to implement the breakfast scheme. He added that Tamil Nadu's education event would be a meaningful experience for Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.