Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rally in Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu, on Friday, January 23, 2026, launched a scathing attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), asserting that the party is "the biggest enemy of Tamil culture" and that its "countdown" to exit has begun. Modi's remarks set the stage for what is expected to be a high-stakes battle for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election.

Modi accused the DMK of corruption, promoting a drug culture, failing to ensure women's safety, and disrespecting Tamil cultural values. He characterized the DMK government as a "CMC government," which he stated stands for "Corruption, Mafia, and Crime". He claimed that the DMK regime had failed to deliver development and was marked by dynastic politics, ignoring the welfare of youth, farmers, and women.

The Prime Minister referenced a recent controversy surrounding the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, Karthigai deepam, at the Thiruparankundram hilltop, where a location is claimed by Hindu right-wing groups as Deepathoon. Modi stated that the BJP stood up for the rights of devotees during the controversy, while the DMK and its allies focused on appeasing their vote bank and even "defamed the courts". He was also referring to the Madras High Court order directing that the ceremonial lamp be lit on the Deepa Thoon at Thiruparankundram hill, which the state government failed to comply with.

Modi also criticized the DMK and Congress for the earlier ban on Jallikattu, calling it an insult to Tamil traditions, in contrast to the NDA government which facilitated a legal pathway for the practice.

Rebutting claims that the Union Government was not providing enough funds to the state, Modi stated that the BJP-led Centre has given three times as many funds to Tamil Nadu since 2011 compared to the UPA regime, in which the DMK was an integral part. He said the NDA government had allocated ₹11 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu over the past 11 years for development, including a sevenfold rise in rail projects, 50,000 Kisan Credit Cards, six crore Mudra loans and direct benefit transfers, and earmarked ₹3 lakh crore for MSMEs.

Sharing the stage with NDA leaders, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and AMMK's T T V Dhinakaran, Modi urged the people of Tamil Nadu to vote for a "double-engine" NDA government, promising rapid development through better coordination between the Centre and the state, ensuring effective implementation of welfare schemes. He asserted that Tamil Nadu was ready for a change of government.