Union Minister Piyush Goyal Levels Serious Corruption Allegations Against Tamil Nadu's DMK Government
In a fiery address at a BJP meeting in Mylapore, Chennai, Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched a scathing attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu. Goyal alleged that there exists a "high level" of corruption in the state, squarely blaming Chief Minister M K Stalin and his family for the situation.
"One Family Rule" Blamed for Economic Decline
Goyal asserted that the Stalin family bears total responsibility for the pervasive corruption, naming CM M K Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, and other relatives Sabarisan and Kanimozhi. "It is one family rule that has taken every aspect of Tamil Nadu's economic development to the lowest we have ever seen," he declared. The minister cited alleged irregularities in state-linked projects, including illegal liquor sales through the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) and questionable procurement of electrical equipment like transformers and smart meters.
He claimed that the people of Tamil Nadu have suffered immensely over the past five years due to the operations of "sand, land, and liquor mafias" allegedly functioning under the patronage of this single family. Goyal referenced a white paper on the Tamil Nadu economy recently released by the BJP, which he said exposes the "mess" created by the DMK administration.
Allegations of Political Collusion to Split Opposition Votes
In a significant political accusation, Goyal claimed that the DMK and popular actor-politician Vijay, president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), are "hand in glove" to split opposition votes. "I think the DMK and Vijay are hand in glove because you can see the fixed match between the two parties. When the DMK realises that they are going to lose this election, they prop up Vijay so that the votes against them can get divided," he explained.
While acknowledging that many actors, like Kamal Haasan, have entered politics and attracted crowds, Goyal noted that such popularity does not always translate into electoral votes. He specifically targeted Udhayanidhi Stalin, stating that Tamil Nadu is not prepared to hand over power to someone who "neither respects religion nor understands culture."
BJP's Electoral Strategy and Promises for Tamil Nadu
Goyal instructed BJP workers to intensify their efforts at the booth level to prevent vote division. "Do not let the votes get divided. All the votes against DMK should go to AIADMK and NDA, to the entire family of NDA candidates," he emphasized, urging consolidation of anti-DMK votes in favor of the AIADMK and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Looking ahead, the Union Minister promised that if an NDA government is elected in Tamil Nadu, a massive slum redevelopment programme will be launched to ensure proper housing for the people. This pledge aims to address urban housing challenges and improve living conditions across the state.
The allegations come at a crucial juncture in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, with corruption and electoral alliances becoming central themes in the ongoing political discourse. Goyal's statements reflect the BJP's aggressive campaign strategy to challenge the incumbent DMK government and position the NDA as a viable alternative for the state's development.
