Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Coimbatore on February 26, 2025, expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form the government in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections. Addressing party members at the inauguration of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) district office, Shah urged them to prepare for a BJP-led NDA administration in the state.
Shah criticized the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, accusing it of nepotism and corruption. He emphasized that a new NDA government would eradicate these issues and usher in an era of development for Tamil Nadu. Highlighting the alleged involvement of DMK leaders in corruption, Shah remarked that those implicated in such activities should consider joining the DMK.
In response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s claims that the central government has withheld funds from the state, Shah refuted these allegations. He stated that the Modi-led government has allocated ₹5 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu over the past five years, significantly more than what was provided during the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.
Addressing concerns about the upcoming delimitation exercise, Shah assured that southern states, including Tamil Nadu, would not lose any parliamentary seats. This statement came in the wake of CM Stalin’s remarks describing the delimitation as a “sword hanging over southern states.” Shah emphasized that the interests of South India have been considered to ensure fair representation.
During his speech, Shah also apologized to the people of Tamil Nadu for not being able to speak Tamil, acknowledging it as one of the world’s oldest languages. He expressed his commitment to the state’s development and the preservation of its rich cultural heritage.
