PM Modi targets DMK, alleges ‘family rule’ and criticises Opposition over Women’s Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), alleging that governance in Tamil Nadu is dominated by family interests while the state’s debt continues to rise.

Addressing an election rally in Coimbatore, Modi claimed that there was internal competition within the ruling family, with “the son and the son-in-law competing as to who will loot more.” He alleged that while the “first family” had grown wealthier over the past five years, the state was increasingly burdened with loans.

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Describing the DMK’s functioning as “for the family, of the family, and by the family,” the Prime Minister said key positions were held by members of the same family, including the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other prominent leaders. He further alleged that even senior party leaders were beholden to younger members of the family.

Modi emphasised that Tamil Nadu required “vision in governance, not family-based politics,” and drew parallels between the DMK and the Indian National Congress, accusing both of promoting dynastic influence.

Referring to C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Prime Minister highlighted his rise through “hard work and honesty” without a political background, contrasting it with what he described as “family dominance” in the DMK. He also criticised the party’s governance, alleging corruption and “mafia-style rule,” in an apparent reference to former minister V. Senthil Balaji.

Turning to the defeat of the Women’s Reservation Bill, Modi said he had personally appealed to all parties for support, even offering them credit for its passage. “I only wanted women from ordinary families to have greater representation in Parliament and state assemblies,” he said, adding that the effort was derailed by opposition parties, including the DMK and Congress.

He further claimed that had the Bill been passed, more women from Tamil Nadu would have entered legislatures, and the state could have benefited from increased representation. Accusing the DMK of misleading the public, he said the party was spreading misinformation about a possible reduction in the state’s parliamentary seats.

“The DMK has nothing to criticise, which is why it is resorting to propaganda,” Modi said, alleging that the party had reversed its earlier stance on proportional representation. He also accused it of opposing the political rise of women from non-political backgrounds.

The Prime Minister asserted that the issue of women’s reservation would remain a priority for the NDA, adding that the setback would not deter efforts to expand women’s representation in governance.