DMK synonymous with corruption, does not care about TN's development: PM Modi
Vellore/Mettupalayam (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a stinging attack on the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, accusing it of indulging in "hate and divisive politics," being synonymous with corruption and having no concern for the state's development.
Addressing election rallies in the state's Vellore and Mettupalayam ahead of the April 19 Lok Sabha polls, he also strongly criticised Congress, calling the national party and DMK, family parties. The Dravidian party had the "first copyright" on corruption and the "family" was intent on looting the state, he said in an apparent reference to the party's first family, headed by its president and Chief Minister M K Stalin.
"The DMK has the first copyright on corruption, the entire family is looting Tamil Nadu," he said in Vellore, while canvassing votes for NDA candidates, including BJP nominees. He further charged the DMK with being "a family company" that was impeding the progress of the state's youth with its "old mindset."
"DMK divides people over language, region, faith and caste. DMK knows that the day people see through this, it will not get a single vote. I have decided to expose the decades-old dangerous politics of DMK," Modi, whose BJP has launched a spirited fight to make significant electoral inroads in the Dravidian heartland, said. He alleged that while the country was progressing with 'Make in India' initiative, the DMK stands with those who want to end investments in the country.
Modi charged Congress with playing "the dangerous game of discrimination and division, which DMK does in Tamil Nadu." For instance, he claimed that though the Centre ensured piped drinking water supply to crores of houses, in Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK prioritised it for party workers/voters. "DMK has always done hate and divisive politics. Its focus has never been Tamil Nadu's development. I assure you, NDA, in its third term will work with more vigour for the growth of Kongu region," he said in Mettupalayam, near Coimbatore.
Tamil Nadu's western region is called the 'Kongu,' region. Modi also alleged that the DMK and INDIA bloc constituents were doing nothing other than appeasement. Referring to the alleged terror act of a cylinder blast outside a temple in Coimbatore, he said the DMK government, "instead of reigning in the fundamentalists, is promoting them." Further escalating his attack on the DMK, he said it was the "other name of corruption and scam."
"Today, the country is setting world record in 5G (telecommunication) but the DMK brought disrepute with 2G scam. Congress and DMK stand at the forefront to protect the corrupt. While I say remove corruption, they say protect the corrupt," he said. Though DMK leader and former Telecom Minister A Raja and party leader Kanimozhi were accused in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, a special court set them at liberty later.
Modi further charged the DMK with being arrogant due to power. A DMK leader had made arrogant remarks about BJP state chief K Annamalai, also a former IPS officer. "This insult of a youth from backward community, a former police officer, won't be tolerated by people. This is their true character," he said, lashing out at the DMK. Further, without naming anyone, he quoted another DMK leader of having said Modi will leave the country after the polls, apparently due to losing.
"Let me make it clear-- this election is to make corruption, dynasty, drugs and every anti-national that DMK protects leave the country," Modi said. He attacked the Congress and DMK over "family politics" and lashed out at them for opposing the candidature of President Droupadi Murmu, hailing from a tribal community, earlier. He alleged that they thought only their children could get to top positions. The textile industry in the Coimbatore region was renowned. The DMK government, by increasing power tariff, is contributing to the destruction of this sector and the livelihoods of weavers, he alleged.
At both rallies, he kept up the attack on the Congress and DMK over the Katchatheevu issue. Both were at power in the Centre and the state, respectively, in 1974 when Katchatheevu islet was ceded to Sri Lanka. Modi sought to know in which cabinet meeting such a decision was arrived upon and to 'benefit' whom. The Congress had not provided answers to these and has kept the country in the dark, he alleged. Post its ceding, Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and their boats seized and the "Congress and the DMK show fake compassion," to them, he said. However, the NDA government was ensuring their "permanent release," even as he saved five fishermen from the gallows in Sri Lanka, Modi said.
Targetting the Congress over its "prince Rahul Gandhi's" Shakti remarks, Modi claimed that the former spoke of "destroying Shakti of Hindu faith." "That is the mentality of DMK as well. They speak ill of Sanatana Dharma, boycott Ram temple inauguration (in Ayodhya)," besides the installation of the "sacred Sengol," in the new Parliament building, he added. The INDIA alliance people "ill-treat" women and everybody knows how the DMK treated the late "Amma Jayalalithaa," when she was alive. "Your blessings for the BJP and the NDA will protect Sanatan Shakti and ensure women's honour," the PM said.
Taking on the DMK, he said it had "three criteria-- family politics, corruption and anti-Tamil culture." He alleged that DMK indulged in corruption in the "thousands of crores of rupees we (Centre) give for Tamil Nadu's growth." The DMK has not "spared the future" of youngsters vis-a-vis the alleged drug menace in the state, as even school students were affected. "It should be known as to which family the druglord who has been arrested by NCB, has links with. The people of Tamil Nadu will seek answers," he said.
He was apparently referring to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arresting Jaffer Sadiq, an expelled DMK functionary last month for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of about 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine with a street value of more than Rs 2,000 crore.
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CM Siddaramaiah ready to "sacrifice power" or continue, as per Rahul's directions: Rajanna
Bengaluru (PTI): As the speculation about leadership change in Karnataka rages yet again, a senior party leader and close aide of Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Chief Minister was ready to "sacrifice power" or continue in the top post, based on the directions of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
KN Rajanna also seemed to support the idea of a change in the party leadership as well, an apparent reference to deputy CM and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar, whose supporters want him to be made CM.
Urging the Congress high command to clear the confusion on the leadership issue, Rajanna, a former minister who is considered close to Siddaramaiah, warned that continued uncertainty would be detrimental for the party and governance.
He also insisted that if the chief minister is changed, there should be a "Dalit CM" in Karnataka.
The development comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"The Chief Minister has an open mind and has said he will abide by the directions of the high command and Rahul Gandhi, and that everyone should cooperate. The CM has repeatedly reiterated that he will abide by Rahul Gandhi's directives and suggested that everyone follow the decision. All ministers have agreed to it," Rajanna said in response to a question about the CM's recent discussion with his close cabinet colleagues and MLAs.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "power is not permanent for any politician, those who lose it will try to gain it and those who have gained it will try to maintain it. The CM's mindset is that he is ready to sacrifice power or continue in power as per Rahul Gandhi's directions. He will abide by Rahul Gandhi's decision."
When asked whether supporters of Siddaramaiah demanded that he continue as CM, and if he steps down, that an AHINDA leader should take over, the MLA said the matter is for the high command to decide.
"We have told the high command what we had to. Ultimately it is left to high command and Rahul Gandhi," he said.
AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) is considered as the strong support base of Siddaramaiah and also the Congress party.
When asked about his past statement that there should be a Dalit CM after Siddaramaiah, Rajanna said, "What's wrong with it. I am committed to the statement that there should be a Dalit CM."
MLAs and leaders who want Shivakumar to be elevated have recently claimed they expect some "sweet news" by May 15, which is their leader's birthday.
When asked whether the party president should also be changed, the former minister said that everything has to change.
"If the ministers have to change, why shouldn't the party president. Everything will be decided by high command," he said.
Shivakumar is the state Congress President and has completed six years in the post.
For the government to function more actively towards the welfare of the people it is important that the high command clears the existing confusion in the Congress party at the earliest, Rajanna said, adding, the ministers have gone to discuss the same with the leadership.
"I too urge that the high command should not allow the confusion to continue; as long as the confusion continues, it is detrimental for the party and governance. I will also go to Delhi after May 4," he said.
"The high command is at it (resolving the confusion), but because of elections, the leaders are busy. The matter cannot be decided hastily, it must be decided with a clear state of mind, as it involves the future of the people of Karnataka and the party," he said, expressing confidence that the party will take appropriate decisions after examining all aspects.
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary (in charge of Karnataka) Randeep Surjewala in New Delhi and requested them to address the speculation regarding the change of leadership in the state.
Subsequently Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa too met the party leadership in Delhi.
Both Jarkiholi and Mahadevappa are considered close to Siddaramaiah.
Regarding the demand for cabinet reshuffle, Rajanna said there is an expectation within both the party and the public that the administration should be sensitised more, and there is nothing wrong in new people getting opportunities.
Responding to a question, Rajanna said, there is a feeling among AHINDA communities that their expectations from the current government have not been fulfilled. "I too agree with it," he said.
Rajanna, who recently alleged that the Chief Minister is "helpless" and under some "compulsion," reiterated his statement by saying, "compare Siddaramaiah as CM during 2013-18 and 2023 to now, there is a huge difference, people are saying it."
The leadership issue is being hotly debated as Shivakumar's supporters have been demanding his elevation since late 2025, in lines with a rumoured power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections.
