Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently asserted that his DMK government has accomplished more in its four years in power than the AIADMK managed during its entire decade-long tenure from 2011 to 2021.
Speaking during his ‘Ungalil Oruvan’ (One Among You) video address, Mr. Stalin recounted his recent investor meetings in Germany. He highlighted how a comprehensive presentation showcased Tamil Nadu’s robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and innovative skill development initiatives. International investors lauded the state’s efforts, particularly noting Tamil Nadu’s leading role in providing employment opportunities for women in India. They also praised the state’s balanced approach to development, ensuring progress across all districts and sectors.
The Chief Minister noted, ‘The focus on emerging sectors also received widespread recognition. Investors from various fields have expressed keen interest. Our Dravidian model government is committed to advancing these efforts by implementing impactful long-term strategies.’
Furthermore, Mr. Stalin shared his interactions with numerous Tamil Nadu students in Germany and London, who credited the state’s reservation policy for their educational success. Many of these students, first-generation graduates in their families, confirmed they benefited significantly from the tuition fee waiver scheme initially introduced by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Emphasizing the importance of economic indicators, Mr. Stalin explained that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) serves as a crucial metric for evaluating growth across vital sectors such as industry, job creation, per capita income, quality of life, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and law and order.
He recalled the challenging circumstances under which the DMK assumed power, stating, ‘When the DMK took office, the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, and our state faced severe financial distress. Despite the central BJP government’s failure to provide Tamil Nadu its rightful share of funds, we achieved an impressive economic growth rate of 11.19%. This figure is double the growth rate recorded by the previous AIADMK government.’
To put this into perspective, Mr. Stalin elaborated that the AIADMK government’s average growth rate was 6.7% between 2011 and 2016, which then declined to 5.2% from 2016 to 2021. In stark contrast, the DMK government has maintained an average growth rate of 8.9% over the past four years.
Concluding his address, Mr. Stalin asserted, ‘The BJP government at the Centre is deliberately targeting the DMK because we stand firm against issues like delimitation, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and our consistent demands for the release of Samagra Shiksha funds and the Keeladi report. While anyone can speak against the BJP, only the DMK possesses the experience, strength, and core ideology required to effectively challenge it.’