Modi said the people of Tamil Nadu had already decided to drive out the DMK and reiterated that the formation of an NDA government in the state was now a certainty.
Published Jan 23, 2026 | 8:20 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 23, 2026 | 8:20 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with alliance partners at the NDA rally on Friday.
Synopsis: Addressing an NDA rally at Madurantakam near Chennai, Modi said the countdown to the fall of the DMK government had begun and accused the ruling party of betraying the trust of the people despite being given two consecutive terms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a broadside against the MK Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu, accusing it of promoting corruption, mafia and crime.
Addressing an NDA rally at Madurantakam near Chennai, the Prime Minister on Friday, 23 January, said the people were “yearning to break free” from the DMK’s misrule and cultural hostility.
Modi said the countdown to the fall of the DMK government had begun and accused the ruling party of betraying the trust of the people despite being given two consecutive terms.
Tamil Nadu will be electing a new legislative Assembly along with Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry in a few months.
Modi alleged that the DMK had failed to fulfil its electoral promises and described the present administration as a “corruption, mafia and crime-ridden government.”
He said the people of Tamil Nadu had already decided to “drive out” the DMK and reiterated that the formation of an NDA government in the state was now a certainty.
Highlighting the Union government’s record, Modi said that over the past 11 years, unprecedented development work had been carried out in Tamil Nadu. He claimed that before 2014, when the DMK and Congress were in power at the Centre, the state received limited financial support, whereas the present government had allocated nearly ₹3 lakh crore, nearly three times more than the previous allocations.
He further said that the NDA government had allocated seven times more funds for railway projects in Tamil Nadu compared to the UPA regime and had spent ₹16 lakh crore over the past 11 years on welfare and development in the State.
Raising concerns over drug abuse, Modi accused the DMK government of failing to protect the youth from narcotics and criminal networks. He said only an NDA government could ensure their safety.
Referring to former chief minister Jayalalithaa’s tenure, he said crimes against women were effectively controlled during her rule, unlike the present situation.
The Prime Minister highlighted the Centre’s cultural initiatives, such as the establishment of a Chair in the name of Subramania Bharati at the Banaras Hindu University and the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which he said helped promote the Tamil language and heritage.
Modi accused the DMK and Congress of opposing Tamil traditions, including jallikattu, and took credit for giving legal backing to revive the sport.
The Prime Minister reached Tamil Nadu from Kerala, where he held a road show and addressed a BJP rally in Thiruvananthapuram.
Senior leaders who participated in the rally included NDA partners Edappadi K. Palaniswami, general secretary of the AIADMK; Anbumani Ramadoss, president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi; TTV Dhinakaran, general secretary of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam; and GK Vasan, president of the Tamil Maanila Congress, along with several other NDA leaders.
The alliance leaders asserted that the DMK government must be voted out and that an NDA government should be formed in Tamil Nadu.
Dhinakaran, who returned to the NDA fold recently, said his party had joined the alliance after setting aside past differences, with the sole objective of making Palaniswami the Chief Minister.
He said former chief minister Jayalalithaa had taught them the importance of standing firm, whether in opposition or alliance, and added that the NDA, now united, would stand resolutely and emerge victorious.
Palaniswami said that with the support of Prime Minister Modi, the alliance would secure victory and form the next government in Tamil Nadu.
He said the DMK regime had caused “only pain to the people” and alleged that a single family was “exploiting the lives of eight crore people of Tamil Nadu.”
He claimed that Stalin’s family had emerged as the wealthiest in the world.
Palaniswami further alleged that despite the DMK having several hardworking leaders, political power and key positions were reserved only for members of the Karunanidhi family. He cited the elevation of Udhayanidhi Stalin as a minister as an example of what he termed “dynastic politics.”
Asserting that the upcoming Assembly election would be the DMK’s “final election,” Palaniswami said the AIADMK would defeat the “anti-people forces.” He also highlighted the AIADMK’s partnership with the NDA, stating that Prime Minister Modi stood firmly with the coalition.
Claiming that the NDA would win 210 seats in the 2026 Assembly election, Palaniswami contrasted the current situation with the AIADMK’s tenure, saying the Centre had released requested funds, sanctioned major schemes, built bridges, and expanded national highways when the AIADMK was in power.
He also pointed to the approval of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project, stating that funds worth around ₹63,000 crore were sanctioned and foundation stones were laid in the presence of Union ministers.
Palaniswami invoked former chief minister CN Annadurai’s slogan, “We will extend a hand for relationships and raise our voice for rights,” before signing off with the phrase, “Bye, bye, Stalin!”
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
