Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Nabin on Friday accused the DMK–Congress alliance of presiding over corruption and governance failures across Tamil Nadu, arguing that public frustration had reached a point where voters were ready to embrace a different political direction. Speaking ahead of a scheduled outreach event in Coimbatore, Nabin said the state’s economic and social segments had been affected by what he described as policy drift and administrative opacity.Nabin, a senior functionary of the BJP, is on a two-day visit to the city and is set to address the party’s “Professionals Connect” programme at the SNR Auditorium in the Nava India area. The event is aimed at engaging doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs and other white-collar professionals, a demographic the BJP has been seeking to court more assertively in southern states as it expands its organisational footprint.
Framing his remarks around governance and accountability, Nabin said the DMK-led administration, supported by the Congress, had failed to meet expectations on transparency and delivery. He alleged that corruption complaints linked to infrastructure projects, public procurement and welfare implementation had eroded confidence, while administrative delays had weighed on job creation and investment sentiment. The state, he added, required “real change” anchored in clean administration and predictable policy.
The criticism comes amid intensifying political messaging as parties position themselves for upcoming electoral contests. Tamil Nadu has long been dominated by Dravidian parties, with the DMK currently in power and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leading the principal opposition. The BJP, which governs at the Centre, has been attempting to widen its base in the state by highlighting governance contrasts and by projecting itself as a development-oriented alternative.
Nabin’s attack on the ruling alliance focused on what he termed governance gaps in urban infrastructure, industrial approvals and law-and-order management. He said professionals and small business owners were increasingly vocal about regulatory uncertainty and the pace of project execution. While acknowledging Tamil Nadu’s strong industrial legacy and human capital, he argued that policy bottlenecks had prevented the state from fully capitalising on emerging opportunities in manufacturing, electronics and services.
The BJP leader also sought to link governance debates to broader questions of political culture. He contended that alliance politics between the DMK and the Congress had led to what he described as compromised oversight and diluted accountability. According to him, voters were seeking leadership that prioritised performance metrics, fiscal discipline and institutional integrity over rhetoric.
At the Coimbatore programme, party organisers said discussions would centre on economic growth, innovation and professional participation in public life. The BJP has increasingly used such forums to bypass traditional political rallies and engage targeted constituencies, particularly in urban centres. In Tamil Nadu, where professional associations and industry bodies play a visible role in civic discourse, the strategy reflects an effort to embed the party’s narrative within workplace and business networks.
Political analysts note that Coimbatore has emerged as a focal point for national parties because of its industrial base, large community of entrepreneurs and history of competitive electoral contests. The city has witnessed repeated attempts by the BJP to consolidate support by emphasising development, national integration and governance efficiency. Nabin’s visit aligns with this approach, reinforcing the party’s emphasis on organisational outreach rather than mass mobilisation alone.