Is Tamil Nadu Really a 'Den of Diseases' Under DMK?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Severe criticism of DMK governance by BJP.
- Chennai and Madurai's low cleanliness rankings raise concerns.
- Allegations of corruption in urban administration.
- Public health systems and hospitals are deteriorating.
- Accountability demanded from the DMK government.
Chennai, July 20 (NationPress) The President of the Tamil Nadu BJP, K. Nainar Nagenthiran, has unleashed a fierce critique against the DMK government on Sunday, accusing it of severe administrative incompetence and asserting that the state has devolved into a “den of diseases” despite grandiose claims of advancement.
In his emphatic statement, Nagenthiran condemned the DMK for its assertions about a “golden era” under its rule, while essential civic infrastructure across the state, especially in major urban areas, remains in decline.
He highlighted the recent Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings, an annual cleanliness survey conducted by the Centre, which positioned Chennai and Madurai at the very bottom among cities with populations exceeding one million.
Chennai was ranked 38th and Madurai 40th out of 40 cities.
“This is an embarrassing illustration of the DMK's governance model. While the government exults in a so-called Dravidian model, our cities are engulfed in filth, and our populace contends with illness,” he stated.
The state BJP leader further questioned the effectiveness of the vast sums of money, reportedly amounting to thousands of crores of rupees, that have been allocated for sanitation initiatives.
“If not a single city from Tamil Nadu appears in the top ten cleanest cities in India, what is the result of these substantial expenditures? What has happened to the lofty claims?” he inquired.
Pointing out the escalation of communicable diseases, failing public health systems, and the dilapidated state of government hospitals, Nagenthiran remarked that the reality on the ground presents a dismal scenario.
He accused the urban administration of widespread corruption, asserting that civic bodies have neglected even fundamental concerns such as waste disposal, sanitation, and public health.
“When garbage accumulates in every nook and cranny, when government hospitals lack even basic amenities, and when crime rates continue to rise, where is the governance?” the BJP leader questioned.
Demanding accountability, he called on the DMK government to apologize to the citizens of Tamil Nadu and the nation at large for what he deemed a complete failure in governance.
This statement is a part of the BJP's escalating criticism of the DMK as the 2026 Assembly elections approach, with sanitation, urban development, and healthcare infrastructure emerging as significant political issues.