DMK govt has been a total, utter failure across the board: Nainar Nagendran | Interview

Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government has “done absolutely nothing” for the constituency of Sattur, even failing to provide basic amenities such as drinking water, transport, and sanitation, the state's BJP president Naina Nagendra has claimed.

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The Federal spoke with Nagendran, who is contesting from the seat in Virudhunagar district in southern Tamil Nadu, about the ground realities in Sattur, besides political strategy and other key issues such as governance and development shaping the April 23 elections.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

What kind of response are you witnessing on the ground during this campaign?

People are welcoming me with great warmth—performing aarti rituals and showering me with flowers. Everyone is welcoming me just as they would welcome a son of their own household.

What is the reason behind such a reception?

The government of the past five years—the DMK government led by M K Stalin—has done absolutely nothing for this (Sattur) constituency. There are no proper civic amenities in this area. It is a parched land, entirely dependent on rainfall. There are no facilities, even for basic drinking water, no public transport services, and absolutely no proper restroom facilities for women.

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Do you believe this model of governance has failed?

Most certainly. This government has not only failed to provide essential services but has been a total, utter failure across the board. Wherever you look, there is rampant ganja trafficking, brutal murders, and sexual atrocities. As a result, women in this area are living with deep anguish and distress.

The government of the past five years—the DMK government led by M K Stalin—has done absolutely nothing for this (Sattur) constituency. There are no proper civic amenities in this area. There are no facilities, even for basic drinking water, no public transport services,

You have previously contested from Tirunelveli. Why did you choose Sattur this time?

When I first contested from Tirunelveli in 2001, I secured about 40,000 votes. In the last election cycle, my vote tally increased to 90,000. This time, during alliance negotiations, Tirunelveli had to be allotted to our alliance partner, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. When asked to choose an alternative constituency, I requested Sattur.

What efforts are you making to increase your vote share in Sattur?

Drinking water remains a major issue here. Many people are forced to purchase water with their own money, and even the supplied water is often contaminated with sewage. To address this, we are planning to implement a dedicated drinking water scheme—either by sinking borewells in the Vaippar basin or sourcing water from the Thamirabarani River through a joint water supply project.

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Not all villages have adequate water supply, and many lack proper toilet facilities. We must ensure these basic amenities are provided. We also need to improve bus connectivity.

There is a perception that the state government is not receiving enough funds from the Union government. The DMK claims the BJP has neglected Tamil Nadu. How do you respond?

That is a baseless accusation. Generally, all central government schemes are implemented through state governments; the Centre cannot directly execute projects.

For example, the central government introduced a direct benefit transfer scheme providing Rs 6,000 annually to farmers. However, the DMK government reduced the number of beneficiaries from the original 40 lakh simply because it was a Central scheme. The central government has provided Rs 14 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu.

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Whether it is four-lane highways, air connectivity, or infrastructure development, these are all driven by the Centre. Even ration shop commodities are provided free by the central government, but it is portrayed as if the State is providing them. This is a false narrative, and we must prove that in this election.

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