“Tamil Nadu Is Ready to Bid Farewell to Corruption,” Says PM Modi as NDA Launches Poll Campaign

Delhi: The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu intensified on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister MK Stalin engaged in a sharp war of words ahead of the formal launch of the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Assembly election campaign in the state. The exchange unfolded just hours before the Prime Minister was scheduled to address a major rally in Maduranthakam, marking the beginning of the BJP-led alliance’s poll outreach.

Ahead of his visit, Prime Minister Modi projected confidence in the NDA’s prospects, asserting that public sentiment in Tamil Nadu was shifting in favour of the alliance. He said that people were increasingly responding to the NDA’s model of governance and its emphasis on addressing regional priorities. According to him, the mood in the state reflected growing dissatisfaction with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which he described as plagued by corruption and poor administration.

Chief Minister MK Stalin swiftly countered the Prime Minister’s remarks, accusing the Centre of neglecting Tamil Nadu outside election periods. In a strong response, Stalin questioned the Union government’s track record on fulfilling financial and developmental commitments to the state. He raised concerns over the non-release of education-related funds, uncertainty surrounding parliamentary delimitation, delays in major health infrastructure projects, and what he termed as interference by the Governor.

Stalin also reiterated longstanding demands related to employment schemes, welfare funding, and language-specific support, asserting that the Centre had repeatedly failed to honour its assurances. He maintained that the people of Tamil Nadu were closely watching these issues and would respond politically to what he called continued neglect by the BJP-led alliance.

The Maduranthakam rally is expected to set the tone for a high-voltage election campaign, with senior NDA leaders, including AIADMK leadership, likely to share the stage with the Prime Minister. BJP leaders have described the event as a turning point aimed at consolidating opposition to the DMK government and presenting the NDA as a credible alternative ahead of the Assembly elections.