Udhayanidhi Hits Out at Vijay Government Over Poll Promises, Law and Order

Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday targeted the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), alleging that the government had failed to fulfil several poll promises and that the state's law-and-order situation had deteriorated.

Campaigning for DMK candidate S Suganya in Dharapuram, where a bypoll is scheduled for October 6, Udhayanidhi alleged that the TVK government had not delivered on key commitments made to voters.

He cited promises including financial assistance for women, free cooking gas cylinders, unemployment assistance and a complete waiver of agricultural loans for farmers, and alleged that these assurances remained unfulfilled.

Udhayanidhi also criticised the government's handling of law and order, alleging a rise in crime and expressing concerns over women's safety. He referred to specific incidents during the government's tenure while questioning its record on maintaining public safety.

The DMK leader further alleged that TVK ministers and legislators were more focused on praising Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay than addressing governance-related issues.

Taking a swipe at the ruling party's expansion, Udhayanidhi alleged that TVK had inducted members from other political parties through questionable means. He compared the exercise to ordering a sofa through a delivery app, suggesting that political entrants were being brought into the party in a manner lacking transparency.

The remarks came amid campaigning for the Dharapuram bypoll, one of the vacancies going to the polls on October 6. Suganya is contesting from the SC-reserved constituency as the DMK candidate.

Udhayanidhi appealed to voters to support Suganya, making the bypoll a platform to highlight what he described as shortcomings in the TVK government's performance.

The TVK and Chief Minister Vijay have faced criticism from opposition parties over governance and the implementation of election commitments. Udhayanidhi's latest remarks were part of the DMK's campaign ahead of the upcoming bypoll.