Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused ruling DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu of corruption, misgovernance, cultural disrespect and failure to ensure women’s safety, while asserting that the “countdown for DMK’s exit has begun” and that a BJP-led NDA government will come to power in the state.
Addressing a high-voltage National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rally in Madurantakam in Chengalpattu district, PM Modi alleged that the DMK government had betrayed the trust of the people despite being given two consecutive mandates.
“You gave DMK a full majority twice, but they broke the trust of the people of Tamil Nadu. DMK made heaps of promises but delivered zero work. People are now calling the DMK government the CMC government. CMC government means a government that promotes ‘Corruption, Mafia, and Crime,’” he said.
Claiming that public sentiment was turning decisively against the ruling party, the Prime Minister said, “The people of Tamil Nadu have now made up their minds to uproot both DMK and CMC. Here, a BJP-NDA double-engine government is certain to come to power.”
Referring to the controversy over lighting the ceremonial Karthigai Deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, PM Modi accused the DMK of opposing religious traditions and defying court orders for vote-bank politics.
“When a controversy erupted over Lord Murugan’s deepam (lamp), our leaders raised their voice for the devotees. However, the DMK and its allies left no stone unturned for their vote bank. They even insulted the court. The DMK is the biggest enemy of Tamil Nadu’s culture,” he said.
The Prime Minister was referring to the Madras High Court order directing that the ceremonial lamp be lit on the Deepa Thoon at Thiruparankundram hill, which the state government failed to comply with. Justice G.R. Swaminathan had earlier expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s response in the matter.
PM Modi also criticised the DMK and Congress for the earlier ban on Jallikattu, calling it an insult to Tamil traditions.
“The Congress and DMK governments disrespected your traditions by banning Jallikattu. In contrast, the NDA government honoured Tamil Nadu’s heritage by facilitating a legal pathway for the practice of Jallikattu. The NDA government stands with you,” he said.
Highlighting concerns over women’s safety, the Prime Minister invoked the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and urged women voters to support the NDA.
“The worst impact of crime can be seen on women. Selvi Jayalalitha worked to control crime, but today, women feel unsafe. I urge women to bring the NDA government, which will ensure your safety,” he said.
He added, “Women’s convenience and health are priorities for the NDA. We have made more than 60 lakh toilets.”
Accusing the DMK government of allowing drug mafias to flourish, PM Modi said, “To build a Viksit Bharat, the youth and women’s empowerment (nari shakti) play a crucial role. However, in Tamil Nadu, the government has failed in this regard, allowing drug abuse and the drug mafia to endanger our young people.”
“Mothers are deeply concerned for their children, and parents are witnessing the destruction of their children’s lives. The drug mafia is specifically targeting schools and colleges, exacerbating the crisis,” he added.
The Prime Minister defended the Centre’s record in Tamil Nadu, stating that the NDA government had provided unprecedented financial support to the state.
“In the past 11 years, the NDA central government has provided nearly Rs 3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu just through transfers. This is about three times more than what was given by the Congress-DMK coalition government,” he said.
He accused the previous Congress-DMK governments of indulging in scams instead of genuine welfare.
Reiterating his call for a “double-engine government,” PM Modi said the NDA would ensure tap water to every household in Tamil Nadu if voted to power.
“You bring in the NDA government, every household in the state will have water from the taps; this is Modi’s guarantee,” he said.
He further alleged that the DMK served the interests of a single family and lacked democratic accountability.
“The DMK government serves the interests of a single family rather than the people of the state. Opportunities for advancement within the DMK seem limited,” he said.
“The massive crowd here is sending a strong message that Tamil Nadu is now ready for a change. The state wants liberation from misrule of DMK and wants the BJP-NDA government,” PM Modi added.
The rally was attended by senior NDA leaders, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan.
(With agency inputs)
