Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday launched a strong attack on Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), alleging corruption, weak governance and a growing disconnect with public sentiment in Tamil Nadu.
There is a massive anti-incumbency building against the DMK government; businesses are facing increased pressure due to multiple power centres within the government, he told journalists of The Hindu Group on Monday.
“Drugs abuse is another major issue that, at different points, has been brought to my attention. We will have to focus on this issue after May 4, once All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edapaddi K Palaniswami gets sworn in as the next chief minister,” said Goyal, who is also in charge of BJP’s Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
The AIADMK is leading the NDA in Tamil Nadu in this election. Goyal accused the DMK of failing to unlock Tamil Nadu’s economic potential. The State has immense strengths, but under the DMK government, it is not achieving its true potential. Investors were being driven away due to bureaucratic hurdles and corruption, he said, noting that a large global fund exited its Chennai project after failing to secure clearances, he said.
“If you make electricity rates so exorbitantly high, you are driving the industry from the State. If you don’t create an enabling environment of getting all clearances and getting land and all the facilitation quickly, you scare away investors from the State,” he said.
Central projects
The DMK government kept neglecting development and relied heavily on Central projects in areas such as highways, ports and airports, noted. The DMK government’s confrontational approach with the Centre has only deprived people of benefits from Central schemes, he added.
Raising the issue of dynastic politics, Goyal challenged Stalin to clarify whether his son would not become the next Chief Minister. Addressing questions on instances of dynasty politics within the BJP, he noted that merit comes first in the party, and even second-generation members of the party are made to earn their positions and are not handed large positions easily.
Published on April 13, 2026