Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on the ruling DMK during the NDA's first major political meeting in Tamil Nadu on January 23 at Madhuranthakam, near Chennai, accusing the party of corruption, dynastic control and a collapse in governance. He said the people of Tamil Nadu want to be liberated from the DMK's misrule and aspire to a BJP-led NDA government in the state.
In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said it was time to bid farewell to the "corrupt DMK government," adding that the NDA's governance record and commitment to regional aspirations were resonating with the people. He stressed that Tamil Nadu needs a "double-engine government" that moves shoulder to shoulder with the Union government to ensure faster and holistic development.
Targeting the DMK's internal culture, Modi alleged that there were only "three or four routes" to progress within the party - dynasty politics, corruption, abusing women and attacking Tamil culture. He claimed that only those following these paths were being rewarded, while the entire state was paying the price for such politics. The Prime Minister said people have now resolved to uproot what he described as single-family dominance from Tamil Nadu.
Raising concerns over law and order, Modi warned that drug mafias were targeting students and alleged that individuals linked to the DMK were involved in drug racketeering, posing a serious threat to the state's future. He said crime was under control during the late Jayalalithaa's tenure, but women and girls now feel unsafe. Appealing directly to mothers, sisters and daughters, Modi urged them to support the NDA, assuring that an NDA government would prioritise safety and security.
Highlighting development, Modi said the Centre had released nearly ₹3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu over the past 11 years-three times the amount released during the UPA regime. He added that railway funding to the state had increased sevenfold and listed welfare schemes benefiting farmers, fishermen and small entrepreneurs, including PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Kisan Credit Cards and the Mudra scheme.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami echoed the criticism, accusing the DMK of nepotism and sidelining senior leaders in favour of one family. He claimed the NDA would win 210 seats and that the AIADMK would form the government with a clear majority. Explaining the AIADMK's alliance with the NDA despite Jayalalithaa's earlier position, Palaniswami said the decision was driven by the need to end corruption and restore accountable governance.
With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, the sharp attacks signal the NDA's intent to mount an aggressive challenge to the DMK. Whether this narrative of corruption, dynastic politics and law-and-order concerns will translate into electoral gains remains a key question as the state heads toward a high-stakes political battle.
