On March 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the DMK, claiming that its ministers competed with each other in scams, contrary to the example set by former chief minister K Kamaraj, known for his honesty. He also accused the Dravidian party of doing nothing when the Congress "gave away" Katchatheevu to take "revenge" against Tamil Nadu for not electing it to power.
Modi emphasized that Kamaraj set an example of honesty in politics. He also accused the DMK government of "stealing" from the poor, youth, and farmers, arguing that such a corrupt government had no moral right to continue.
Addressing the rally, Modi stated that the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to bring the NDA to power. The AIADMK leads the NDA in Tamil Nadu, and its constituents include the BJP and AMMK.
Modi pointed out that Tamil Nadu, which had kept Congress out of power for six decades, was the first to become "Congress-mukt," using his familiar campaign slogan to target the national party.
He further stated, "For this, Congress took revenge against Tamil Nadu. It was Congress that gave away Katchatheevu, and then DMK didn't do anything." He referred to the Indian government's decision in the 1970s to cede the islet to Sri Lanka.
With the Congress in power and the DMK supporting them, their government issued a notification banning the bull-taming sport Jallikattu. Modi stated that it was the NDA that ensured Jallikattu could continue.
Modi criticized the DMK's corruption, highlighting that former CM Kamaraj set an example for the entire country. He accused the DMK of being involved in scams involving Rs 365 crore in cash transfers, Rs 900 crore in job scams, Rs 1000 crore in contract scams, and Rs 4,700 crore in sand mining scams.
Modi alleged that ministers in the Dravidian party competed with one another in good work, while in the DMK, they competed in scams.
"But who are they stealing from...from the poor, from the youth, from the farmers. Such a corrupt government has no moral right to continue. That's why the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to bring in an NDA government. We will give clean and efficient governance," he said at the rally, attended by key alliance party leaders, including AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran, and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss.
Without naming Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had said the DMK was not afraid of Prime Minister Modi or his father, Modi remarked, "Recently, I heard that someone from the DMK said that they don't fear my father or me."
He stated, "Let me say this clearly--in a democracy, nobody fears anyone. So, when someone says they don't fear me, they aren't criticising me; actually, they are appreciating my commitment to democratic values. Unknowingly, they have given a badge of honour."
Regarding the law and order situation in the state, the Prime Minister said that women were facing serious problems due to increasing crimes and drug mafia activity. He assured that the NDA government would focus on law and order as soon as it came into power, and that drug mafia and criminals would be brought to justice.
Modi also claimed that the DMK neither worked for the poor nor allowed others to work, and that nearly three lakh houses under the PM Awaas Yojana remained pending due to the party-led government's delayed process.
Despite coming to power in 2021, the DMK failed to deliver good governance and "looted the state, furthering dynastic politics and ignoring people's aspirations," Modi asserted.
He said that the DMK brought mafia-style politics to Madurai, resulting in poor roads, drainage, and waste management. He added that the DMK Mayor of Madurai had to resign due to corruption.
Modi ridiculed Chief Minister M K Stalin's claims on the Dravidian government as a medium of good governance.
Pointing out that the NDA rally was giving "nightmares to those dreaming of returning to power" he said "Tamil Nadu has made up its mind and the people have decided that DMK has to be sent out."
People also know very clearly that only an NDA can bring change and that the next government of Tamil Nadu will be "an NDA government", Modi asserted.
The PM, who offered prayers at the Sri Subrahmanya Swamy temple, Tirupparankundram before addressing the rally, said he felt sad that a young devotee (Purnachandra) sacrificed his life (as the lamp could not be lit atop the stone pillar for Karthigai deepam festival last year following a row). He met the bereaved family and offered his condolences, he said.
Modi's visit to the shrine follows a controversy last year over lighting of lamp on the "deepathoon" (pillar) on the hilltop with the matter reaching the court. The court ruled in favour of the devotees' right to light the lamp at the "deepathoon."