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Sarathkumar with his family in Parliament. (News18)
“PM Narendra Modi told me that I fought the Lok Sabha election very well, but must stay focussed now. The PM told me to start working for the upcoming assembly elections in 2026,” Radhika Sarathkumar told News18
Actor-turned-politician Sarathkumar, his wife Radhika, their son and his fiancée visited Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Friday morning. The visit was to invite the PM for the upcoming wedding and reception of the son.
After exchanging greetings with the PM, the power couple spoke to the prime minister about the state of Tamil Nadu. Radhika, who contested the recent elections from Virudhnagar, but lost, got a message of encouragement from the PM.
“He told me that I fought the Lok Sabha elections very well, but must stay focussed now. PM told me to start working for the upcoming assembly elections in 2026,” Radhika told News18.
Sarathkumar said he made a promise to the Prime Minister. “Both of us pledged that we will do whatever is possible to make sure that we continue to work for the people of Tamil Nadu,” he told News18.
Just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in March, Sarathkumar merged his party, All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK), with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The actor’s wife lost to Congress leader Manickam Tagore.
While the BJP was able to increase its vote share in the southern state, it did not win a single Lok Sabha seat, with All 40 seats going to the opposition.
The state will see assembly polls in 2026 and the BJP under the leadership of K Annamalai will attempt to make a mark.
The prime minister has spoken about the focus of his party and Tamil being among the oldest languages. During his first address in the UN after becoming the prime minister, he had also made a brief address in Tamil.
Apart from this, as mark of respect to the rich culture of Tamil Nadu, the Sengol has been established in Parliament to guide towards good governance.
Organising the Kashi Tamil Sangam and Satra Tamil Tamil Sangmam are among the steps taken to promote the rich culture and heritage.
PM Modi made multiple tours to the southern state, including at least four-five in 2024, even before the Lok Sabha election dates were announced.