In Erode, Tamil Nadu, DMK President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the NDA of betraying the interests of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Addressing an election rally, Stalin criticized AIADMK Chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, claiming that Palaniswami's government had achieved nothing during the 2017-2021 period, and also criticized Prime Minister Modi for his "election tours" to Tamil Nadu.
Stalin criticized the slow pace of construction of the Madurai AIIMS, which was announced a decade ago, stating that the project, being built brick by brick, represents a significant achievement. He further alleged that the NDA had betrayed the state by failing to protect weavers from US tariffs and by causing economic hardship to MSMEs due to the West Asian conflict.
He also accused the NDA of further betrayals, including the denial of scrapping NEET, the rejection of new Metro rail projects, the implementation of the 3-farm laws (which were later repealed), and the failure to protect weavers from US tariffs and to address the economic impact of the West Asian conflict on MSMEs.
Stalin also criticized the government's handling of the situation, particularly the denial of funds for education and the imposition of Hindi, the refusal to provide GST compensation, and the erosion of state rights.
He claimed that Palaniswami and his party, the BJP, were "betraying" the people of Tamil Nadu, and that the NDA allies were "standing in the dock" due to their repeated betrayals.
Stalin also highlighted the Dravidian party's efforts to protect women, including fare-free bus services and a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000, and praised the state's law and order situation and the safety of women. He emphasized that the Dravidian model of governance had resulted in swift action and the punishment of criminals.
Stalin also criticized Palaniswami for targeting the DMK over women's safety, citing the Pollachi sexual assault case and the suffering of the victims. He praised the DMK's handling of the case, which resulted in life sentences for the perpetrators and compensation for the victims.
He also highlighted other instances where the DMK had protected women, including the case of a female police SP who was victimized by a higher-ranking officer and the conviction of the perpetrators, as well as the case of the three girl students who were burned in a bus in Dharmapuri and the acid attack on a woman IAS officer. He emphasized that the DMK had enacted laws to ensure severe penalties for crimes against women.
Stalin further criticized Palaniswami's rule, claiming that women's safety was a major concern under his administration, and praised the Dravidian model of governance for protecting women and enabling them to work with dignity. He also accused Palaniswami of spreading false information and rumors to hide the truth.
He also criticized the NDA for its alleged corruption, citing examples of tenders being awarded to relatives, as well as alleged scams involving the illegal sale of gutka and irregularities in the awarding of tenders for local bodies. He also criticized AMMK Chief TTV Dhinakaran and PMK Leader Anbumani Ramadoss for alleged corruption.
Stalin concluded by asserting that the DMK-led alliance, based on ideology, was different from the NDA, which he described as a "dabba engine" (a box engine) and predicted its defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections.