Dharmapuri (Tamil Nadu), April 2 AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami accused the DMK government on Thursday of "failing" to ensure public safety, claiming that the administration itself has admitted that around 18,000 POCSO cases were registered in the state.
Addressing a massive rally in Dharmapuri in support of NDA candidates, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly substantiated his claims by referring to a statement made by P Geetha Jeevan, Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment in the Assembly.
"Stalin says I am intentionally criticizing him, but his own government's statistics show 26,651 cases of sexual harassment against women. Your government's statistics also show 18,000 POCSO cases. Your Social Welfare Minister mentioned that Rs 84 crore in relief was provided," Palaniswami said.
According to the LoP, the admission was an indictment of the deteriorating law and order situation under Chief Minister M K Stalin.
He charged the CM with "peddling lies" regarding the safety of women and children.
The AIADMK chief also dismissed the 'Dravidian Model' as a facade, alleging that Tamil Nadu leads only in debt accumulation.
"In the 73 years before 2021, the state's total debt was Rs 4.85 lakh crore. The DMK has added Rs 5 lakh crore in just one term," Palaniswami claimed.
He also criticised the government’s "expert committee", suggesting its true purpose was to find new ways to borrow rather than reduce the fiscal deficit.
"Stalin says his government is 'number one'. Yes, number one in borrowing loans and number one in corruption," added Palaniswami.
Palaniswami recalled that Stalin showed black flags to the prime minister when he was in the opposition, but once he became CM, he laid out the red carpet for him.
"You need the PM's favour for projects, but you speak differently outside. The DMK is a party of double standards. For example, regarding the Cauvery water issue, although AIADMK was in an alliance with the BJP, our 37 MPs stalled Parliament for 22 days to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu's farmers. Stalin, can you do that? You promised to abolish NEET, but have you put any pressure on the Central Government?" Palaniswami asked.
The AIADMK chief also highlighted the economic burden placed on the public through multiple tax and tariff hikes.
He claimed that power tariffs have surged by 67 per cent, while property taxes have seen an increase of up to 112 per cent.
Slamming the introduction of a "garbage tax", Palaniswami alleged widespread corruption in basic civic maintenance, including public toilets in Chennai.
On the issue of public health and youth welfare, the former Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the "uncontrolled" circulation of narcotics.
Ganja and other drugs are now available in every village and city across the state, leading to a rise in daily murders, robberies, and sexual violence, he added.
"Our youth and students are being ruined by drugs under this regime," he said, claiming he had raised the issue in the Assembly to no avail.
Contrasting the current administration with his tenure, Palaniswami said the AIADMK government had achieved a 52 per cent enrollment rate in higher education and established 11 medical colleges in a single year.
He accused the DMK of "failing" to fulfill its pre-poll promises, such as providing 5 lakh government jobs or restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Looking toward the 2026 Assembly elections, Palaniswami unveiled a series of populist promises aimed at providing relief to the common man.
These include increasing monthly aid for women to Rs 2,000, providing three free gas cylinders annually, and granting Rs 10,000 in immediate aid to every family.
He also promised free refrigerators for households and a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for unemployed graduates.
Calling the Stalin model a "failure", Palaniswami urged the electorate to return the AIADMK-PMK alliance to power to complete stalled infrastructure projects, such as the Cauvery surplus water scheme, and to restore the state's safety and financial stability.
