Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a public meeting in Madurai on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: G. Moorthy
BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that Ministers in Tamil Nadu were in stiff competition among themselves to indulge in scams.
Sharing the dais with the BJP’s allies, including AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami at a NDA public meeting in Madurai, Mr. Modi charged, “Usually, Ministers compete among themselves for good governance. But, DMK Ministers were competing in scams… and were snatching the money from the poor, youth and farmers. Such a corrupt government has no moral right to continue.”
Contending that the NDA would give a clean and efficient government, he sought the ouster of the “corrupt and anti-people” DMK government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joins NDA leaders to cheer party workers at a public meeting organised by NDA in Madurai on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
G. Moorthy
“The DMK Mayor (in Madurai) had to resign due to corruption. The DMK was busy in making money for itself while pushing the problems to the people,” Mr. Modi said. While six lakh homes were completed under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, three lakh houses could not be completed in Tamil Nadu because of the failure of the DMK in conducting the survey. “DMK’s petty politics has delayed the opportunity for the poor to live with dignity,” he alleged.
According to him, the DMK government exemplified corruption as opposed to the Kamaraj rule that was an example for honesty. Calling the DMK’s governance inefficient, he said Madurai city was at the bottom of the chart among similar cities in the country with regard to cleanliness.
He levelled charges of corruption in various departments right from transfers to government jobs and contracts for sand mining and in Tasmac liquor bottle sale, which he said, ranged from ₹365 crore to ₹40,0000 crore.
“After 25 long years, the DMK got a full majority to rule the state in 2021. However, the Dravidian party failed to deliver good governance. It looted the State and brought mafia-style politics to Madurai,” he alleged.
Taking a jibe at the Congress, Mr Modi said angered by Tamil Nadu rejecting the party for six decades, it “took revenge” by handing over Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka and by bringing in an ordinance to ban Jallikattu. He charged that the DMK had remained silent at the time. Mr. Modi took credit for having lifted the ban on Jallikattu.
Referring to the Pamban Bridge, he said the old rail bridge structure had worn out, forcing trains to move slowly across the sea bridge. It should have been replaced earlier, but the DMK and the Congress, which were in power for 10 years from 2004 (UPA regimes), failed to act, he alleged.
After the NDA came to power, the work was expedited and trains were now moving faster on the bridge, he said. “The DMK and the Congress did nothing for Tamil Nadu but talked big,” he alleged.
Accusing the DMK government of failing to curb crimes against women, Mr. Modi said families were being destroyed by a growing drug mafia. “The NDA government that will be elected will ensure safety, dignity and empowerment of women,” he added.
More opportunities for T.N.
Recalling that the Centre had recently signed a trade agreement with the European Union, the Prime Minister said it would create golden opportunities for the youth, farmers and entrepreneurs of Tamil Nadu.
He said the textile industry, electronics and manufacturing sectors, and seafood exporters would gain access to global markets. Factories would expand, and farmers and workers would get new job opportunities. Tamil Nadu products would have greater scope to compete globally.
“For all these to happen, Tamil Nadu needs a government focused on people’s welfare. The NDA will provide a stable and people-oriented government,” the Prime Minister added.
Published – March 01, 2026 09:32 pm IST
