Tamil Nadu Politics: EPS Escalates Attack on M.K. Stalin-Led DMK Government Over Crime, Corruption, and Custodial Deaths

Tamil

Introduction

As political activity intensifies across Tamil Nadu, AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has mounted an aggressive campaign offensive against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government headed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Framing his campaign around administrative accountability and public safety, EPS has placed *law and order breakdown, rising custodial fatalities, and high-profile corruption charges* at the center of his political broadside against the state administration.

The opposition leader has been addressing series of public rallies and press briefings across key districts, alleging that institutional governance in Tamil Nadu has eroded under CM M.K. Stalin's leadership. In response, the ruling DMK government has categorically refuted the charges, describing them as politically motivated misrepresentations aimed at misleading voters.

EPS Attacks DMK Over Law and Order Deterioration

*A central plank of Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s campaign strategy is the alleged collapse of law and order in Tamil Nadu.* The AIADMK chief asserted that criminal activities, violent crimes, and illicit trade networks have grown significantly across urban and rural regions since the DMK assumed power in May 2021.

During campaign speeches, EPS underscored several critical issues concerning public safety:

• *The Illicit Liquor Tragedies*: EPS repeatedly cited the devastating Kallakurichi hooch tragedy of June 2024, in which over 60 people died after consuming methanol-laced spurious liquor, along with the 2023 Marakkanam illicit liquor deaths. He alleged that local law enforcement failed to curb illegal liquor trade due to political interference. - *Rise in Drug Trafficking*: The opposition leader heavily criticized the government over the widespread availability of synthetic drugs and cannabis. He drew attention to the international drug smuggling bust conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in early 2024, which led to the arrest of former DMK NRI wing office-bearer Jaffer Sadiq. EPS alleged that illegal narcotics have penetrated educational institutions across the state. - *Current Case Status*: Following the NCB’s arrest of Jaffer Sadiq in connection with a ₹2,000-crore international drug racket, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a financial money-laundering case against him. The DMK immediately expelled Sadiq from party positions when his name surfaced in the probe. Concurrently, Tamil Nadu Police initiated statewide anti-drug operations named 'Operation DAD' to seize illegal narcotics.

Custodial Deaths and Police Administration Under Scrutiny

*The occurrence of alleged custodial deaths and police high-handedness has become another major talking point for the opposition.* EPS accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who holds the Home portfolio governing the state police department, of failing to maintain strict oversight over police station conduct and human rights protection.

Key points raised regarding custodial fatalities include:

• *High-Profile Custodial Incidents*: EPS cited multiple instances of custodial deaths reported in police stations in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and Pudukkottai districts over the past three years. He specifically highlighted the 2022 custodial death of a young man named Vignesh in Chennai police custody as an example of administrative failure. - *Demands for Independent Probes*: AIADMK leaders claimed that lower-level police personnel were being used as scapegoats while senior officials escaped systemic accountability. - *Current Action & Status*: In response to custodial fatality allegations, the Tamil Nadu government routinely transferred investigations to the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID). In the Chennai custodial death case, CB-CID registered murder charges against participating police personnel, resulting in multiple arrests and ongoing proceedings before trial courts.

Corruption Allegations and Central Agency Investigations

*Allegations of systemic corruption against sitting DMK ministers have served as potent political ammunition for the AIADMK campaign.* EPS claimed that public administration and tender allocations under the current regime have been plagued by irregularities in departments ranging from electricity to sand mining and local administration.

The opposition highlighted ongoing legal and investigative proceedings:

• *Enforcement Directorate Probes*: EPS frequently cited the arrest and long pre-trial detention of former electricity and excise minister V. Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a cash-for-jobs money laundering case. - *Judicial Revisions*: The AIADMK campaign drew attention to the Madras High Court initiating *suo motu* judicial revision proceedings regarding the previous acquittals and discharges of several sitting DMK cabinet ministers—including K. Ponmudy, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, and Thangam Thennarasu—in past wealth cases. - *Current Legal Status*: Former minister V. Senthil Balaji remained in judicial custody for over 15 months before being granted conditional bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024. Meanwhile, the High Court revision proceedings involving other ministers are currently being heard under active judicial review.

DMK Government’s Defense and Counter-Attack

Refuting the charges leveled by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and senior DMK officials asserted that the Tamil Nadu administration acts strictly according to the law without political bias or compromise.

The ruling party’s counter-defense includes:

• *Prompt Administrative Action*: The DMK administration highlighted that in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, the state immediately suspended top local police officers, transferred the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, transferred the case to the CB-CID, and appointed a one-man judicial commission headed by retired High Court Judge B. Gokuldas to investigate the root cause. - *Firm Action Against Crime*: CM M.K. Stalin stated that police forces have been given total operational freedom to take action against anti-social elements, organized crime syndicates, and drug vendors across Tamil Nadu. - *Reminding Voters of Past AIADMK Record*: DMK leaders countered by citing major law-and-order crises that occurred during AIADMK's previous tenure under EPS. They brought up the 2020 Sathankulam custodial deaths of a father-son duo, the 2018 police firing during the Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi which left 13 dead, and the unresolved Kodanad estate break-in and murder case.

Political Dynamics and Election Strategy

The political contest in Tamil Nadu has taken on added significance following AIADMK's decision to break its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). By choosing to launch an independent, intense campaign centered on governance, EPS aims to establish AIADMK as the primary, unassisted challenger to the DMK.

• *Shift in Campaign Focus*: While the DMK-led alliance frequently frames its political narratives around federal rights, constitutional protection, and anti-BJP rhetoric, AIADMK is focusing heavily on ground-level state administration issues—emphasizing food prices, public security, drug prevention, and police efficiency. - *Targeting Neutral Voters*: By placing high visibility on safety concerns, custodial deaths, and corruption, EPS is attempting to mobilize neutral voters, women, and young voters who prioritize public law and order over national coalition dynamics.

Conclusion

*The sharp escalation in political attacks by Edappadi K. Palaniswami demonstrates that governance, police accountability, and corruption remain at the forefront of Tamil Nadu's electoral landscape.* While opposition parties continue to challenge the ruling party's administrative record on law and order and custodial safety, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s DMK government points to its swift institutional actions, ongoing judicial processes, and social welfare programs as evidence of effective governance. As the state moves closer to future polls, this intense clash of political narratives will play a decisive role in shaping voter choices across Tamil Nadu.

Source: Google News

*Source: Google News — foolpolitics.in*

Source: Google News · Published on FoolPolitics.in