Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Firmly Rejects PM Modi's 'Double Engine' Government Proposal
In a sharp political rebuttal, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday categorically dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advocacy for a "double engine" government in the state. Stalin's response came directly after the Prime Minister's address at an NDA rally in Maduranthakam, where Modi officially launched the alliance's campaign for the 2026 Assembly elections.
PM Modi's Rally Call and Stalin's Swift Counter on Social Media
During his rally speech, Prime Minister Modi made a compelling case for establishing a "double engine" government in Tamil Nadu, arguing that such an administration would work "shoulder to shoulder" with the Centre to accelerate the state's development trajectory. He emphatically stated, "We have to free Tamil Nadu from the clutches of the DMK." This remark set the stage for a heated political exchange.
Chief Minister Stalin wasted no time in responding. Through a detailed post on the social media platform X, he declared, "The double engine that the PM talks about will not run in Tamil Nadu." He further elaborated that Tamil Nadu has achieved historical growth by successfully overcoming numerous obstacles deliberately created by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Stalin's Comparative Analysis of State Development
In his critique, Stalin presented a comparative perspective on regional development. He urged the public and political observers to consider the evidence: "Think about it for a moment… more than the double engine states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar that you talk about, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka and West Bengal, where the double engine has not entered, are registering significant growth."
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister did not mince words when addressing the BJP's relationship with the state. He accused the BJP of betraying Tamil Nadu on multiple fronts and asserted that the people have long memories. "Even if you hide the betrayals committed by the BJP against Tamils and Tamil Nadu, the people of the state will never forget them. Tamil Nadu will not bow to Delhi’s arrogance," Stalin stated with firm resolve.
PM Modi's Rally Accusations Against the DMK Government
Earlier in the day, addressing a massive gathering of NDA workers and supporters, Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK. He creatively coined the term "CMC" to describe the party, alleging it stands for "Corruption, Mafia, Crime." Modi claimed, "The DMK is CMC — a Corruption, Mafia, Crime promoting government. The people of Tamil Nadu have made up their mind to uproot DMK, CMC."
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the DMK government's "countdown has started" and suggested that Tamil Nadu desires liberation from what he termed "misgovernance." He positioned the BJP-led NDA as the alternative offering "good governance."
Specific Allegations and Historical References
Modi further accused the DMK of engaging in divisive vote-bank politics, specifically citing the Thirupparankundram Lord Murugan Temple Karthigai lamp lighting issue. He contrasted this with his party's stance, saying, "Our leaders stood by devotees’ rights, but the DMK left no stone unturned for vote bank politics."
Alleging that the DMK functions primarily for the benefit of a single family, Modi criticized the party's governance model. "The DMK government has nothing to do with democracy and accountability," he remarked.
The Prime Minister also raised serious concerns about law and order and drug-related issues in the state. He claimed that the youth are increasingly falling prey to narcotics and women are suffering due to rising crime rates. In a poignant moment, he recalled the legacy of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, stating, "Selvi J Jayalalithaa did great work in controlling crime in Tamil Nadu, but today women are suffering."
This exchange marks a significant escalation in the political rhetoric between the DMK-led state government and the BJP-led central government, setting the tone for a fiercely contested electoral battle in the coming years.
