Tiruchirappalli, Jan 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday participated in the Pongal festival celebrations in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.

As the BJP has launched a political-cultural programme during the Pongal festival, it has termed it 'Namma Ooru Modi Pongal,' which translates to "Our Town's Modi Pongal." Under this initiative, BJP workers and supporters celebrate Pongal at the local (ooru) level while highlighting the policies, welfare schemes, and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pongal, one of the most significant festivals for Tamils worldwide, marks thanksgiving to nature, the sun, farm animals, and farmers. It is traditionally celebrated as a family festival symbolising prosperity, gratitude, and togetherness. To facilitate the celebrations, the Tamil Nadu government had earlier announced a Pongal gift package comprising one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar, and one full-length sugarcane for all eligible beneficiaries.

The Union Home Minister arrived in Tamil Nadu on Sunday for a two-day visit and attended the valedictory function of the "Tamilagam Thalai Nimira Tamilanin Payanam" campaign yatra, led by Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran.

Earlier on Sunday, addressing a massive gathering at the closing ceremony of state BJP President Nainar Nagenthran's marathon yatra, Shah declared, "In April 2026, an NDA government will be formed in Tamil Nadu."

Highlighting previous electoral wins in recent years, he said, "2024 and 2025 were years of victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party; now, 2026 will be the year we bring that mandate to Tamil Nadu and Bengal."

The Home Minister urged citizens of Tamil Nadu to align themselves and join Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vision of a developed India."

Shah's speech served as a formal confirmation of the BJP's alliance strategy to oppose the ruling DMK. He announced that the BJP is prepared to lead a "strong alliance" with the AIADMK and other regional partners.

"The alliance of BJP with AIADMK and others will have its final fight against Congress and DMK," Shah said.

The Home Minister criticised the current administration, labelling the DMK government as "the most corrupt government" in the country. He accused the ruling party of failing, saying, "The DMK government has failed on every front. If the most corrupt government is anywhere in the whole of India, then unfortunately, it is in Tamil Nadu."

(ANI)