Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 23 January 2026, addressed a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) public meeting at Madurantakam, launching a sharp attack on the ruling DMK and asserting that Tamil Nadu was ready for a change in governance ahead of the 2026 elections.
PM Modi stated that bravery and patriotism ran through the veins of the people of Tamil Nadu and claimed the NDA alliance was gaining popular support in the state. “The people like the NDA alliance. Tamil Nadu is ready for a change in governance. The countdown for the DMK government has begun,” he said, adding that leaders on the stage would shape Tamil Nadu’s future.
Calling for a corruption-free and development-oriented administration, the Prime Minister accused the DMK government of backing corruption, mafia elements, and criminal activities. “This is a government that supports CMC – corruption, mafia, and criminality. Even children in Tamil Nadu know where corruption exists. This is a government run by one family. This is an undemocratic government,” he said.
Modi further accused the DMK of insulting Tamil culture and said the state must be liberated from what he described as the party’s oppressive rule. “The DMK government mocks culture. We will free Tamil Nadu from the DMK’s cruel rule,” he said.
Highlighting Centre–State relations, the Prime Minister said the BJP-led Union government had provided three times more funds to Tamil Nadu over the last 11 years than what was given during Congress rule. “We have given three times more funds to Tamil Nadu than the Congress government did. The BJP government has delivered unprecedented development. Today, Tamil Nadu’s growth is moving backward. The people want a double engine government,” he said.
Modi said the NDA would stand firmly with farmers and fishermen and stressed the importance of youth and women in Tamil Nadu’s development. Expressing concern over substance abuse, he said, “Our children are being destroyed by addiction right before our eyes. Tamil Nadu needs a state government that works in coordination with the Central government.”
Praising former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Modi said crimes were kept under control during her tenure and described her governance as effective. He reiterated his admiration for Tamil language and culture and accused the DMK of practising vote-bank politics. “I love Tamil language and Tamil culture. The DMK is the enemy of Tamil culture,” he said.
Referring to the controversy over lighting the Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram hill, Modi accused the DMK of politicising religious traditions. He said the party had even disrespected the judiciary to appease its vote bank.
Elaborating on the issue, PM Modi said, “Friends, we are not people who merely make speeches about Tamil culture; we are firmly committed to protecting it. Just a few days ago, lighting a lamp for our Lord Murugan was turned into a controversy. At that time, all our leaders raised their voices for the rights of devotees. But the DMK, which is anti-Tamil, and its allies did not even spare the judiciary in their attempt to appease their vote bank. They insulted it. The DMK created a problem out of lighting the lamp at Thiruparankundram hill. The DMK is the enemy of Tamil language, Tamil people, and Tamil culture.”
Modi also accused the Congress and the DMK of humiliating Tamil traditions by imposing a ban on Jallikattu. “It was the Congress and DMK that banned Jallikattu and insulted all of you. But our NDA government explored every legal avenue and brought Jallikattu back. Through this, we restored Tamil tradition and honoured Tamil youth,” he said.
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