Explained : PM Modi Criticizes DMK for Dynastic Politics in Tamil Nadu and Its Impact

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a strong criticism of the ruling DMK in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, accusing the party of practising dynastic politics and a “scientific corruption model.” Addressing a public gathering in Tiruchirappalli, he stated that the people have made up their minds for change in the state.

PM Modi said the DMK-led government is not implementing certain central schemes due to fears that credit will be given to the NDA, while emphasising that the BJP-led government has ambitious plans for Tamil Nadu’s progress. He also criticised the DMK over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

“What’s the condition of Tamil Nadu today? Under the DMK govt, violent crimes against women have become common. Recently, everyone saw the horrible news related to a DMK member who did not spare a little girl. Today, criminals roam fearlessly, harming women. But I promise that NDA will ensure that women of Tamil Nadu live without fear. We will provide good law and order. It’s criminals who will live in fear, not the people,” he said.

The Prime Minister further claimed, “DMK has delayed the scheme to build houses for the rural poor because they are afraid that the people will credit the central govt for it. We have big plans for the progress of Tamil Nadu. For example, we have made the state a part of the rare earth corridor. We have proposed the Bengaluru-Chennai and Chennai-Hyderabad bullet train project.”

Highlighting issues faced by farmers, PM Modi said, “Farmers of the delta are the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s food security” and accused the DMK of failing to fulfil promises. “They deserve fair prices, good facilities and modern storage infrastructure. DMK promised to create grain warehouses, but today, farmers are searching for these warehouses, which are nowhere to be found. Similarly, DMK had promised a big increase in MSP for paddy. Farmers are asking what happened to these promises. Illegally sandmining is destroying the river and threatening the environment. Yet, those responsible for it continue to enjoy the protection of DMK.”

He added, “In 2021, the people of Tamil Nadu brought DMK to power. Instead of taking it as a responsibility, they have betrayed the mandate. In DMK, everything starts and ends with one family. Ministers may change, MLAs may change, but power remains with one dynasty. DMK is infamous for its scientific corruption model. Today, the same model is being used to make Tamil Nadu an ATM for one family. A Minister from this very district is involved in a huge cash-for-jobs scam.”

PM Modi said infrastructure funding to Tamil Nadu has tripled in the last decade. “For the NDA’s govt, Tamil Nadu’s progress is extremely important. Since 2014, the central govt about Rs 3 lakh crore through devolution alone. This is many times more than the amount sent during the earlier Congress DMK govt. Infrastructure funding to Tamil Nadu has tripled in the last decade compared to the decade before that. The NDA govt has spent around Rs 57000 crore on national highways in the state. This is more than four times the amount spent by the Congress-DMK govt between 2004 and 2014. We have invested almost Rs 8000 crore in building rural roads in Tamil Nadu,” he stated.

On Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage, the Prime Minister said, “Tamil Nadu’s culture and architecture attract people from all over the world and people don’t come only through Chennai, they also fly to places like Tiruchi, which is an international airport.” He spoke of a new terminal built in Tiruchi, describing it as “modern and at the same time fully immersed in the culture of Tamil Nadu.”

Announcing upgrades to the airport in Madurai, the Prime Minister said it was “elevated to international status” to connect the region globally with direct flights. He cited recent visits and project inaugurations in Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, involving investments worth thousands of crores, underscoring the government’s commitment to the state’s future.

PM Modi asserted that the desire for change is gaining momentum in Tamil Nadu. “The river Kaveri flows with unstoppable force. Similarly, in this election, this election season in Tamil Nadu, the desire for change is gaining huge momentum. The whole state has made up its mind to throw out the DMK from the government. The people want a govt that works for every family, not just one family. And they know that the NDA can bring change in Tamil Nadu,” he said, adding that he deeply connects with the Tamil people across various forums.

Paying tribute to local history and heroes, the Prime Minister noted, “Trichy is a land of courage and faith and it has seen the bravery of the Marudhu brothers. I also remember Major M Saravanan, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Kargil War. When it comes to respecting Tamil Nadu and its culture, our Government has always been at the forefront. It is a matter of pride that CP Radhakrishnan, a son of Tamil Nadu, is our Vice President. A few months ago, he released a postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Matharaiyar. It was a moment of pride for Tamil Nadu.”

Regarding international affairs, PM Modi spoke about the impact of the West Asia conflict on global energy supply and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the “India First” ideology. He urged citizens not to panic or believe rumours and to share only verified information.

“Today, I’d like to speak to the people of Tamil Nadu about the conflict in West Asia. It has affected the whole world’s energy supply chain. We believe in the ideology of India First,” he said. “In any situation, we have seen how our government always puts the interests of Indians above everything. Even in these times, our approach will be the same. There is no need to panic or pay attention to rumours. I’d like to appeal to the people, let’s only spread only correct and verified information.”

Recalling the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi said that 100 crore Indians “showed the world how mature our nation is” and expressed confidence in successfully navigating future challenges.

Earlier, while addressing a rally in Ernakulum, Kerala, the Prime Minister said the BJP-NDA government does not abandon its people in crises, referencing efforts to protect millions of Indians in West Asia.

“It’s natural for all of you to be concerned about what’s happening in West Asia today. Millions of our brothers and sisters work there. But you must remember that the BJP-NDA government is in power today. Whenever any of our countrymen has been in trouble, we have used all our strength to protect them. Today’s India doesn’t leave its people in trouble. We are providing security all facilities to Indians stuck in the war,” he remarked.

PM Modi also expressed gratitude towards Gulf countries for ensuring the safety of Indian citizens abroad. “I am satisfied that our friendly countries in the Gulf are taking care of our citizens. Our embassies and missions are 24/7 helping them. They are offering food, residents, protections to them,” he added.

He criticised the Congress party for what he described as politicising the West Asia conflict, accusing them of making provocative statements that endanger Indians’ safety. “It is unfortunate that the Congress party is looking for politics at this time of global crisis. Congress is willingly making provocative statements to cause disruptions. Our people get stuck there so they can abuse Modi. This is thier play,” he said.

PM Modi launched a series of developmental projects in Tamil Nadu with a total investment of Rs 5,600 crore, covering clean energy, petroleum manufacturing and enhanced multi-modal connectivity through highways, railways, and rural roads.

He laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum’s City Gas Distribution network, a Rs 3,700 crore project to provide Piped Natural Gas to nearly nine lakh families in Nilgiris and Erode districts. The Prime Minister highlighted the project’s environmental benefits, stating, “The positive environmental impact of this project over just eight years will be similar to the planting of four crore trees.”

PM Modi dedicated the Indian Oil Corporation’s Lube Blending Plant in Chennai to the nation, describing it as a significant boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He noted, “The increase in local production of lubricants also reduces imports and saves money for the nation.”

The Prime Minister inaugurated 370 kilometres of rural roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and announced a highway bypass project at Gangaikonda Cholapuram to protect the UNESCO-recognised temple by diverting heavy traffic.

He highlighted the recent modernisation of eight stations under the Amrit Bharat programme and the launch of new train services connecting key locations such as Nagercoil, Coimbatore, Rameshwaram, Tirunelveli, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikkudi to foster tourism and local trade.

“We are working day and night for the state’s progress and we will continue to do so,” PM Modi concluded.