Published Mar 01, 2026 | 8:21 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 01, 2026 | 8:21 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Synopsis: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, accused the DMK government of failing to maintain law and order, encouraging “mafia-style politics” and neglecting the state’s development, and said the NDA would form the next government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 1 March, accused the DMK government in Tamil Nadu of “injustice”, “ruining” Madurai and allowing a decline in law and order, and said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the next government in the state.
Addressing an NDA election rally in Madurai, the Prime Minister alleged that crimes against women and the circulation of narcotics had increased in the state.
Modi shared the stage with leaders of alliance parties, including AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.
He said the DMK had introduced “mafia-style politics” in the region and delayed the construction of three lakh houses under the Prime Minister’s housing scheme.
Modi also referred to the death of Poornachandran, who had allegedly self-immolated while demanding permission to light a ceremonial lamp at Deepathoon in Thiruparankundram.
The prime minister said he was deeply moved after meeting Poornachandran’s wife and children at their residence. He alleged that the incident showed the “injustice” of the DMK government, adding that regardless of what the DMK does, “a devotee of Murugan will ultimately prevail.”
He said the people of Tamil Nadu had decided to remove the DMK from power and bring the NDA to office in the state, and claimed that the alliance would form the next government.
Turning to women’s safety, Modi said many women were now reflecting on how their lives had been better during the tenure of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He assured the women of Tamil Nadu that if the NDA comes to power, strict action will be taken to restore law and order and criminals will be put behind bars.
Modi also claimed that when the DMK was part of the Union government, it had done nothing substantial for Tamil Nadu.
He said Tamil Nadu had kept the Congress out of power in the state for 60 years and was the first state to free itself from Congress rule.
He alleged that this was why the Congress “betrayed” Tamil Nadu by ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, and claimed that the DMK had remained silent on the issue.
Citing integrity in politics, he said one could point to K Kamaraj as an example, but alleged that the DMK stood in contrast to such values and had indulged in corruption.
In an apparent reference to remarks by Udhayanidhi Stalin that he and his father were not afraid of Modi, the Prime Minister said that in a democracy, no one needs to fear anyone. If someone says they are not afraid of him, he added, it only shows that democratic values are being upheld.
Recalling the period of the Emergency, Modi said he had been part of a movement that worked to protect democracy.
He began his speech with the chant “Vettri Vel, Veera Vel,” invoking Lord Murugan. He said he had visited Thiruparankundram to offer prayers for the well-being of the nation. He also said he was remembering revered figures linked to the region and Tamil pride, including Goddess Meenakshi, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, Veeran Alagumuthu Kone, Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Immanuel Sekaran.
Addressing the gathering, Edappadi K Palaniswami said the upcoming Assembly elections would decide who should govern Tamil Nadu. He expressed confidence that the alliance would win 210 constituencies and that the AIADMK would form the government.
He accused Chief Minister MK Stalin of spreading misinformation that the Union government had not extended support to Tamil Nadu.
Refuting the claim, Palaniswami said projects worth ₹4,400 crore had been dedicated to the state during the Prime Minister’s visit, adding that every time Modi visits Tamil Nadu, projects worth thousands of crores are announced.
Questioning the DMK’s record, he asked what the party had brought to Tamil Nadu despite being part of the Union government for over 15 years. He further alleged that corruption was deeply entrenched in the DMK.
Highlighting achievements during the AIADMK regime, Palaniswami said the party had secured 11 government medical colleges for Tamil Nadu after placing requests before the Prime Minister. In contrast, he claimed that no new medical colleges were brought during the DMK’s tenure.
He also said that the AIADMK government had facilitated the establishment of AIIMS in Madurai and accused the present DMK government of attempting to stall the project.
He said that from the time of M G Ramachandran to J Jayalalithaa, the southern districts had always been the backbone of the AIADMK, and asserted that the region would once again play a decisive role in bringing the party back to power.
Palaniswami urged the people to vote for the party to ensure a prosperous India and a prosperous Tamil Nadu. He called for an end to “family rule” and “dynastic politics” in the state.
