Madurai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 1, Sunday launched a scathing attack against the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, saying that the party’s dream of returning to power will turn into a “nightmare” and the NDA will form a government in the state. Expressing confidence in the AIADMK-BJP alliance’s victory, PM Modi called the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections a “turning point” for the state.
Addressing a public gathering in Madurai, he accused the DMK of corruption and poor waste management in the city, leading to Madurai’s low national ranking in terms of cleanliness. PM Modi said, “Some people are dreaming of returning to power in Tamil Nadu, but when they see this massive NDA rally, their dreams will turn into nightmares. This election is the turning point of Tamil Nadu. People have made up their minds; people have decided that the DMK has to be sent out. They also know clearly that only the NDA can bring in change. The next government of Tamil Nadu will be an NDA government”.
Tamil Nadu is signalling a clear desire for change. Unfulfilled promises and corruption under the DMK have disappointed the people. The NDA is the preferred choice. Watch from Madurai.
https://t.co/oNPtD4woSs— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026
“In 2021, after 25 long years, DMK got a full majority on its own, but they did not deliver good governance. They looted the state and furthered dynastic politics. Madurai stood with MGR, who loved the city immensely. That is why DMK never liked Madurai and brought mafia-like politics to Madurai. They brought poor drainage and a lack of waste management. They took Madurai to the bottom of the national ranking in cleanliness and the mayor had to resign because of corruption”, PM Modi added.
PM Modi, earlier today, offered prayers at Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple and stated that he had met the family of the devotee Poornachandran, who set himself ablaze over the Karthigai Deepam row.
Slamming the DMK for opposing the Madras High Court verdict allowing the devotees to light the ceremonial lamp on the Deepa Thoon at the summit of the Thiruparankundram hill, the Prime Minister said that “truth and Lord Murugan will win”.
Today, in Madurai, I remembered Thiru Poornachandran. This happened due to the insensitivity of the DMK Government in the state. And, no matter what they do, the truth will win. Devotees of Lord Murugan will win.
I met his wife, Thirumathi Indumathi Ji as well as his sons. pic.twitter.com/mnvdmtMXZd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026
Recalling his Malaysia visit in February, he said, “The love you are showering upon me here reminds me of my visit to Malaysia last month. The affection I received from my Tamil brothers and sisters was exceptional. To support Tamil culture there, we have already established the Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya. Now we are also setting up the Thiruvalluvar Centre there”.
Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara!
Prayed at the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple, Thirupparankundram, Madurai.
Sought blessings for peace, prosperity and the well-being of all. May Lord Murugan always guide us with strength, courage and wisdom. pic.twitter.com/RjNVZSXgKB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026
Developed Tamil Nadu for developed India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for “developed Tamil Nadu for developed India”, assuring the Centre’s support to “inclusive development” in the state. Addressing a public gathering in Madurai, PM Modi hailed the inauguration and foundation stone laying of infrastructure projects worth Rs 4,400 crore.
As he laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Marakkanam-Puducherry Section of NH-332A and the Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87, PM Modi said that the projects will ease the travel for pilgrims and ensure smooth transit of agricultural and marine goods.
The Prime Minister said, “Every Indian is inspired to build a developed nation by 2047 and Tamil Nadu will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s destiny. Our collective goal is a ‘developed Tamil Nadu for developed India’. Centre remains fully committed to enabling inclusive development and the state’s progress.” “In the past 12 years, the government of India made huge investments in the highway networks of Tamil Nadu. Over 4,000 kilometres of highways have been built here since 2014. I am happy to lay the foundation stones today for two major Highway projects. This ensures ease of travel for pilgrims and smooth movement of agricultural produce and marine products”, PM Modi noted.
Further, PM Modi said that the Indian railways have undergone a historic transformation in the last decade, with the railway sector budget increasing nine times since 2014. “Over the last decade, Indian railways have undergone a historic transformation. This is particularly visible in Tamil Nadu. The Railway budget allocation has increased dramatically, ninefold, since our government came in. More than 1300 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid, 97 per cent electrification has been achieved, hundreds of flyovers and underpasses and improved safety and efficiency”, PM Modi said.
Speaking at the launch of various infrastructure works in Madurai. These will improve connectivity and significantly benefit the people across Tamil Nadu.
https://t.co/BtyKdVaZWM— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026
He added, “Last year, I inaugurated the new Pamban bridge in Tamil Nadu. It’s India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, a symbol of engineering excellence. This bridge in itself has become a major tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu”. While the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has accused the Centre of not providing the state with adequate funds, PM Modi said that the infrastructure funding to the state has tripled compared to the previous decade. In the Union Budget 2026-27, the Centre has proposed Bengaluru-Chennai and Chennai-Hyderabad bullet train corridors and a rare earth mineral corridor, which PM Modi said will “revolutionise the economy” of the region.
Massive boost to Tamil Nadu infrastructure and connectivity
Earlier today, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Marakkanam-Puducherry Section of NH-332A and the Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87. According to a press release from the PMO, the four-laning of the Marakkanam-Puducherry section will help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas of Puducherry, and reduce travel time by nearly 50 per cent, from one hour to about 30 minutes. The project will provide seamless connectivity among key National Highways and State Highways, enhance access to prominent destinations such as Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station and Auroville, strengthen connectivity between coastal villages and Viluppuram district headquarters, and boost tourism and economic activity in the region.
Aligned with the principles of PM Gati Shakti, the corridor will integrate key economic nodes, including fishing clusters, a Special Economic Zone, a Mega Food Park and a textile cluster, thereby catalysing trade, industry and socio-economic development across the region. PM Modi also inaugurated eight redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These redeveloped railway stations are Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputtur, Sholavandan, Manaparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikkudi Junction and Thiruvarur Junction in Tamil Nadu. He also dedicated to the nation the Chennai Beach-Chennai Egmore Fourth Line, a rail line that will significantly enhance operational efficiency in the Chennai suburban rail network by facilitating additional passenger and freight train services and benefiting lakhs of daily commuters, including office-goers, IT professionals, students and traders.
To further strengthen broadcasting services in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister inaugurated three new Akashvani FM relay transmitters at Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore. These transmitters will expand regional coverage, ensure uninterrupted FM broadcasting and enhance access to public broadcasting services across multiple districts of the state.
(With Inputs from ANI)
