DMDK's Premalatha flags crimes, farm distress and civic lapses in Tamil Nadu
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
DMDK general secretary and Vriddhachalam MLA Premalatha Vijayakant on Sunday, 20 September 2026, called for urgent intervention by the Tamil Nadu Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (TVK) government on a wide range of issues, including violent crimes, farmers' distress, dengue outbreak, power outages, and paddy procurement delays. Her demands span multiple districts and underline mounting pressure on the state administration from the opposition.
Law and Order Concerns
Premalatha drew attention to a series of violent incidents, specifically the Sivaganga double murder and killings reported in Madurai and Krishnagiri. She argued that these incidents had eroded the sense of security among residents and demanded swift investigation and firm action against those responsible.
She urged the police to identify and arrest all suspects and ensure stringent punishment through the legal process. The DMDK leader also pressed the government to adopt preventive measures to check similar violent incidents going forward.
Dengue Alert and Health Infrastructure
Premalatha called for a stronger state response to dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, which have reportedly seen a fresh surge. She pressed local bodies to intensify mosquito-control operations and demanded that government hospitals maintain adequate beds, medicines, and diagnostic facilities to handle any escalation.
Of particular concern were reports of dengue infections among students of Anna University, prompting her to seek urgent campus-level preventive action from the authorities.
Farmers' Distress: Loans, Water, and Procurement
The DMDK leader highlighted an ongoing farmers' protest at Samayapuram and demanded a complete waiver of agricultural loans statewide. She pointed to reports that crop loans worth ₹247.15 crore had already been waived for 50,779 farmers in Tiruchy district, and argued that eligible farmers across all districts of Tamil Nadu deserved similar relief.
She also urged the Tamil Nadu government to exert diplomatic pressure on Karnataka to secure the state's legitimate share of Cauvery water — a perennial inter-state dispute that directly affects agricultural communities in the Cauvery delta region.
On paddy procurement, Premalatha called for faster action in Tirunelveli and Vriddhachalam, where rain-exposed paddy reportedly remains unprocured, threatening farmers with avoidable financial losses.
Other Civic Demands
The DMDK leader also raised concerns over the safety of fishermen in Pattinapakkam and sought adequate security arrangements during Vinayaka Chaturthi processions across the state. Separately, she pressed the government to immediately address widespread complaints of unannounced power outages in several parts of Tamil Nadu.
What the DMDK Is Demanding
Premalatha made clear that the TVK government's credibility hinges on how quickly it delivers time-bound measures across these fronts — public safety, farmers' welfare, and uninterrupted essential services. This comes amid growing opposition scrutiny of the TVK administration's handling of law and order since it came to power, with critics arguing that early warning signs of civic and agrarian distress have not received proportionate attention.