Recent incidents of crime in Tamil Nadu, including attacks on infants and elderly women, have led TVK chief Vijay to accuse the state government of failing to ensure public safety.
He stated that the people are now “waiting to send home the irresponsible, failed DMK government.”
In a post on X directed at Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday, Vijay questioned whether the ruling party prioritises maintaining the DMK alliance over protecting women and children in the state. “Chief Minister sir, who is solely focused on preserving your DMK alliance, where is the safety for women and girl children in Tamil Nadu?” he wrote.
Vijay added, “The people of Tamil Nadu are waiting to send home this irresponsible, failed DMK government that has neglected its duty in maintaining law and order and providing safety to women.”
He referenced several recent crimes, including the murder of a 17-year-old girl in Thoothukudi and the sexual assault of a 14-year-old near Maduranthakam. He also remarked on attacks against political figures, highlighting the petrol bomb thrown at Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram.
“The news that a 17-year-old girl in Vellathikulam, Thoothukudi district, who had gone to relieve herself in a natural spot, was subjected to brutality, his body hacked into pieces, and recovered as a corpse, is enough to send shivers down one’s heart. Because of this, her parents and the people of that area are engaged in a major protest,” Vijay wrote.
Following the alleged murder and sexual assault of the girl, her parents have protested at Kurukkusalai-Kulathur, blaming police inaction for her death. They have demanded action against the police officers and the immediate arrest of the culprits.
Vijay also brought attention to the murder of an elderly couple, including the sexual assault of a 60-year-old woman. Additionally, he criticised food safety standards in schools, mentioning that at least 43 students fell ill in Coimbatore after a lizard was found in their food.
Regarding the attack on Karti Chidambaram’s office, Vijay stated, “An attack with a petrol bomb on the office of Congress leader P. Chidambaram, the alliance partner of DMK, and his son, MP Karti Chidambaram… And so, within just the last one and a half weeks, negligence in safety and countless incidents of violence have occurred.”
The Tamil Nadu elections are scheduled for April or May, with political parties preparing to campaign. The National Democratic Alliance and the DMK-led alliance, including Congress, have nearly finalised seat-sharing arrangements. The TVK is set to contest independently for the first time.
In the 2021 elections, the DMK-led alliance won 159 seats, with the DMK securing 133 seats and becoming the largest party. The AIADMK won 60 seats, while its ally BJP secured four seats.