Tamil Nadu Assembly election: NDA must ensure women’s safety in Tamil Nadu, says G.K. Vasan

Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G. K. Vasan on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), under the AIADMK leadership in Tamil Nadu, must prioritise women’s safety as currently under the DMK regime there was no guarantee of security for them in the State.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a demonstration condemning the DMK over the alleged deterioration in law and order and the rise in crimes against women and children, he said the protest’s impact would be reflected in the forthcoming Assembly elections. He expressed confidence that the DMK would face defeat, particularly due to women voters. Alleging the State was among the worst-performing in the southern region in maintaining law and order, Mr. Vasan said the situation would change after the elections. He voiced confidence that an AIADMK government led by its general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami would restore peace.

He said the AIADMK-led alliance was reaching out to the public as the “first front”. Accusing the DMK government of failing to fulfil its promises over the past five years, he said growth had declined across sectors and people had been burdened with taxes.

Mr. Vasan said the NDA was functioning in a coordinated manner and that the protest reflected its unity. With about two weeks remaining after the poll announcement, he said seat-sharing details between the AIADMK and the BJP would be announced soon.

Stressing that regime change was the primary objective, he said efforts were under way to create favourable conditions across constituencies. He alleged that TASMAC liquor sales and the spread of narcotics would contribute to the government’s fall, and criticised it for failing to resolve murder cases in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. He also claimed that differences were evident within the DMK alliance and reiterated that the TMC would contest under its own symbol, while awaiting clarifications from the Election Commission. The protest was organised by AIADMK in which leaders from NDA-alliance parties took part.