DMK government’s failure to take stern action has emboldened criminals: Palaniswami

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Friday (July 25, 2025), alleged that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu was completely ruined under the DMK government. 

The DMK government’s failure to take stern action and maintain law and order had emboldened criminals who have no fear of the police, he charged, citing a double murder reported in Avudaiyarkoil in Pudukottai district on Thursday night.

Speaking to journalists in Pudukottai, he alleged that murder, robbery, thefts, crimes against children and targeted killings of elderly persons had become a regular feature. Only if criminals feared stern action, crimes would come down. However, that was not the case under the DMK government, Mr. Palaniswami said. 

There was no respect for honest and upright police officers under the DMK government. The prize given to such honest officers was suspension orders. “It is not good for a government to take vindictive action against honest officers,” he said.

The responsibility of the main Opposition party was to point out the problems and issues faced by the people, but those in power were just dismissing them instead of rectifying. The government was unaware of the problems faced by the people, he said.

Asked whether he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tiruchi and Gangaikonda Cholapuram on Sunday (July 27), Mr. Palaniswami said he was not aware of the complete programme of the Prime Minister till now adding that he was yet to receive the official itinerary of Mr. Modi.

Replying to a query, Mr. Palaniswami said several schemes launched during the AIADMK regime were withdrawn after the DMK came to power. Steps would be taken to implement them once the AIADMK returned to power. The former Chief Minister said he had so far covered 46 Assembly constituencies and met around 15 lakh people during his ‘Makkalai Kaappom’ campaign. The reception to his campaign had given him the hope of a huge victory for the AIADMK-led alliance, he said.

‘Uruttukalum Thiruttukalum’ outreach initiative

Earlier, he launched the AIADMK’s outreach initiative christened ‘Uruttukalum Thiruttukalum’ to circulate pamphlets containing a set of promises made by the DMK government in the run up to the 2021 Assembly elections to seek feedback from the people as to whether the promises had been fulfilled and to obtain their rating for the government.