Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 22 : Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal on Thursday criticised the ruling DMK government over alleged nepotism and corruption after meeting Tamil Maanila Congress leader GK Vasan and senior National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally AC Shanmugam in Chennai, asserting that the NDA is determined to free Tamil Nadu from what he described as "corruption" and "incompetence."
Speaking after the meeting, Goyal said he was pleased to meet Vasan, whom he described as a long-time friend. "I am so happy to meet my friend GK Vasan. I have known him for more than 20 years. We have worked together in the Rajya Sabha. I have seen how well he represents the people of Tamil Nadu and how passionate he is about serving the state," he said.
Goyal also praised AC Shanmugam, calling him a trusted NDA ally. "I am very delighted to meet Dr AC Shanmugam. He is a trusted and loyal partner of the NDA, and together with Mr Vasan, we will ensure that Tamil Nadu gets a good NDA government," he added.
The Union Minister said the NDA is focused on good governance and inclusive development. "We will bring good governance, development and prosperity for every section of Tamil Nadu, our sisters and daughters, youth, fishermen, farmers and all sections of society, and under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the leader of the alliance in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K Palaniswami," he further stated.
Expressing confidence in the alliance's prospects, Goyal said the NDA would secure a decisive mandate.
"I am grateful for the love and affection that the people of Tamil Nadu have always shown towards Prime Minister Modi. I have seen the concern and affection that the Prime Minister has for the people of Tamil Nadu. I am sure that in this election, the NDA will win with a thumping majority," he said.
Taking aim at the ruling DMK, Goyal alleged corruption and nepotism. "GK Vasan and Dr AC Shanmugam will work with full force to defeat the nepotist and corrupt Stalin government. Tamil Nadu should not have to suffer because of incompetence and corruption," he said, also criticising Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over alleged hate speech.
Earlier in the day, Piyush Goyal met AIADMK General Secretary Palaniswami at his residence on Greenways Road in Chennai.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Goyal expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will defeat the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, asserting that the people of the state have rejected what he described as the "corruption, misgovernance and anti-development policies" of the DMK government.
Meanwhile, PM Modi's public meeting tomorrow will mark the clarion call for the National Democratic Alliance for the Assembly polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a special address, and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, GK Vasan, John Pandian, and other leaders of alliance parties will also attend the event.
With elections expected in the first half of this year, the BJP-AIADMK-led NDA alliance is looking to secure a win against the DMK-Congress coalition, while the entry of debutant actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has turned the contest into a triangular battle.