DMK president M.K. Stalin on Sunday accused the TVK-led government of not addressing pressing issues such as power outages and protests by farmers, and instead, indulging in diverting people’s attention.

Speaking at an event at Vanagaram in Chennai where hundreds of supporters of former AIADMK Minister P. Benjamin joined the DMK, Mr. Stalin said that in the last five years, Tamil Nadu had reached new heights in several sectors. “It was the DMK that made Tamil Nadu the second-largest economy in India. We formulated welfare schemes that benefited all sections of society and ensured that they reached the people,” he said.

“Because of the confidence in the DMK government, investors from across the country and around the world came forward to invest in Tamil Nadu, leading to the creation of employment opportunities. But now there has been a change in government. Within one month, Tamil Nadu has reached a situation where it is heading downhill,” he said.

According to him, industrial establishments are hesitant to invest in the State due to the deterioration of law and order, increasing sexual abuse cases, narcotic drug menace, and robberies. In many of these crimes, members of the ruling party were the accused, he said.

“There are power cuts and protests by farmers. But instead of addressing these issues, the government is in a take-diversion mode. People have now understood the tactics of the new government,” Mr. Stalin said.

He said the responsibility of protecting Tamil Nadu rests with the DMK. “We cannot allow the Tamil Nadu we nurtured with great care to deteriorate.  Not winning one election is not a downfall. We [the DMK] have witnessed many victories and defeats,” said Mr. Stalin, who also listed several welfare measures implemented by the previous DMK government.

“What usually happens after a general election is that members of Opposition parties switch over to the ruling party. But now, many are joining the DMK, which is in the Opposition. It is clear that those who are joining the DMK are joining not for posts, but for its ideology. They believe that only a strong DMK can protect Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Stalin said.

Meanwhile, former senior office-bearers and district-level functionaries of the MDMK on Sunday joined the DMK in the presence of Mr. Stalin at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters.