Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), accusing it of widespread corruption, nepotism, and misgovernance during a high-energy roadshow in Tamil Nadu as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign ahead of the Assembly elections.
Addressing supporters gathered along the route, Shah alleged that Tamil Nadu had suffered under a “family-centric political system” and claimed that opportunities for development and employment were being restricted due to what he described as nepotistic governance practices. He said that governance in the state needed “transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity for all.”
Shah’s roadshow witnessed large crowds in key urban stretches, with BJP supporters lining the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans. Party workers had organised the event as part of an intensified campaign strategy aimed at expanding the NDA’s presence in the state.
During his address, Shah stated that corruption had become deeply embedded in the administrative structure under the DMK government. He alleged that public resources were not reaching intended beneficiaries and claimed that several welfare schemes were being affected by inefficiency and mismanagement.
Without naming individuals, the Home Minister criticised what he called the “concentration of power within a few families,” asserting that Tamil Nadu deserved a governance model based on merit and development rather than political inheritance. He urged voters to support change, saying the upcoming elections would be a “decisive moment” for the state’s future.
Shah also highlighted the central government’s development initiatives in Tamil Nadu, including infrastructure projects, industrial investments, and welfare programmes, stating that the Union government had consistently supported the state’s growth.
Security arrangements were tightened throughout the route of the roadshow, with police personnel deployed to manage traffic and crowd movement. The event remained peaceful despite heavy participation and congestion in several areas.
The DMK has consistently rejected similar allegations from opposition parties, maintaining that its government has prioritised social welfare, inclusive development, and public service delivery. Party leaders are expected to respond to Shah’s remarks as campaigning intensifies across the state.
With Tamil Nadu heading into a crucial election phase, political rhetoric has escalated, with major parties focusing on governance records, development claims, and voter outreach in a highly competitive environment.
