PM Modi Slams Congress as 'Parasitic' for Ditching DMK in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a significant public rally held at the HAL Airport in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 10, 2026, delivered a sharp critique of the Indian National Congress. His primary accusation revolved around the Congress's political maneuvering in Tamil Nadu, where he branded the party as 'parasitic' and a 'backstabber' for allegedly abandoning its long-standing alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to align with the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor-turned-politician Vijay. Modi's remarks came in the wake of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where the TVK emerged as the single largest party, leading to the formation of a new government with the support of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, was notably present at Vijay's swearing-in ceremony as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a move that further cemented the new political alignment. This development brought an end to a decades-old political partnership between the Congress and the DMK, which had a complex and often turbulent history but had also seen periods of strong collaboration, including sweeping electoral victories. The Prime Minister specifically charged that the Congress, driven by an insatiable hunger for power, betrayed the DMK at the 'first opportunity' it got. He reiterated that the Congress had historically relied on the DMK for its political survival, particularly during the 10-year United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime before 2014, and now, like a 'parasite,' it needed another party to remain relevant. These strong words were echoed by other reports, with DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai reportedly referring to Congress as a 'backstabber,' signifying the depth of resentment within the former ally. Beyond the Tamil Nadu context, PM Modi utilized his Bengaluru address to highlight the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s recent electoral successes across various states. He cited the NDA's return to power in Puducherry for a second consecutive term, the BJP's third consecutive government formation in Assam, and the party's significant gains in West Bengal as indicators of a 'new chapter in history' being written by the BJP and NDA. He also pointed to the BJP's 'record-breaking' performance in the Gujarat local body polls, underscoring what he described as a decisive political shift in the country. In stark contrast, Modi criticized the Congress for its perceived failures in governance and its internal power struggles in states where it holds power. He specifically targeted the Congress-led government in Karnataka, accusing its leadership of spending more time on internal disputes and power-sharing arrangements than on addressing public concerns or delivering effective governance. This was seen as a thinly veiled reference to the reported ongoing tensions between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Modi further accused Congress leaders in Delhi of 'misleading people' over the May 4 election results, particularly concerning the formation of governments in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where he claimed the party was struggling with leadership decisions despite electoral gains. He argued that the Congress's approach to politics lacked a clear governance agenda, relying instead on making false promises to voters and blaming external factors like the constitution, democracy, and courts for its electoral losses. The rally in Bengaluru, which saw a massive turnout, was described by PM Modi as a reflection of the strength and discipline of BJP workers. He remarked on the unprecedented scale of the gathering at an airport premises, stating that it indicated a 'saffron sun rising from the land of Bengaluru' as the BJP's political reach continued to expand. During his visit, PM Modi was also slated to inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately Rs 9,500 crore, spanning various sectors including roads, transportation, railways, and textiles, and dedicate Sindhu Hospital to the nation. In essence, the Prime Minister's address in Bengaluru served as a platform to project the BJP-led NDA as a symbol of political stability and development, while simultaneously lambasting the Congress for what he characterized as 'politics of betrayal,' opportunism, and administrative inefficiency. The core of his attack hinged on the Congress's recent alliance shift in Tamil Nadu, framing it as a prime example of the party's 'parasitic' nature and disregard for alliance loyalty.

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