tn-ready-to-bid-farewell-to-corrupt-dmk-govt-pm-modi

The 2026 Assembly election battle in Tamil Nadu officially ignited on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister MK Stalin traded sharp barbs ahead of a massive NDA rally in Maduranthakam. The Prime Minister, arriving to kick-start the campaign alongside AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, took to social media to declare that the state is ready to oust the "corrupt" Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, claiming the NDA’s focus on regional aspirations is "striking a chord" with voters.

Tamil Nadu is with NDA!

I’ll be joining NDA leaders at the rally in Madhuranthakam later today. Tamil Nadu has decided that it’s time to bid farewell to the corrupt DMK Government.

The NDA’s governance record and commitment to regional aspirations are striking a chord with…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

Chief Minister Stalin was quick to hit back, dismissing the visit as a seasonal appearance. "Tamil Nadu counts the betrayals of the National Democratic Alliance," Stalin posted on X, accusing the Prime Minister of only showing interest in the state when elections are around the corner. The CM listed a series of grievances, demanding to know when the Centre would release the ₹3,458 crore Samagra Shiksha education fund and when the long-delayed Madurai AIIMS project would actually see completion.

 

The rhetoric didn't stop at infrastructure. Stalin also took aim at the Governor, calling his office a "BJP agent," and demanded clarity on whether Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary representation would be protected during the upcoming delimitation exercise. He further challenged the Prime Minister on the restoration of the MGNREGA rural employment scheme and specific financial allocations for the promotion of the Tamil language.

 

The rally at Maduranthakam, located about 87 km from Chennai, marks the first major show of strength for the unified NDA, featuring both Modi and EPS on the same stage. Bharatiya Janata Party election in-charge Piyush Goyal framed the event as the beginning of the end for the DMK. He also promised a "high-decibel campaign" focused on prosperity and good governance.

 

With heavy security and a specially prepared helipad in Chengalpattu district ready for the PM’s arrival, the atmosphere in the state has shifted into full election mode. While the NDA is betting on a "double-engine" narrative to flip the state, the DMK appears to be doubling down on a platform of state rights and Central neglect.

 

Also read: PM Modi arrives in Kerala, flags off train services