Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday admitted that "as of now, some assurances such as getting NEET scrapped" could not be fulfilled.

Stalin expressed confidence that one day a government at the Centre would respect the rights of the state, hinting that the national eligibility test for medical education could be eased out in Tamil Nadu at that time.

Addressing an event here, Stalin referred to the rousing reception accorded to him, which caused a delay in his arrival at the venue. "People show boundless love for me," he said, adding that opposition parties were unable to tolerate it. Instead of constructive criticism, they allege that the DMK has not fulfilled any of its electoral assurances.

On Saturday, TVK chief Vijay targeted the DMK regime over unfulfilled promises.

The chief minister said that beyond assurances made in the DMK manifesto ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, several new schemes such as the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme for school children have been rolled out.

He said the media, including those in North India, acknowledge Tamil Nadu as a model state under the DMK regime, but critics attempt to hide these achievements. "Spreading lies is the kind of politics they pursue," Stalin said.

Of the 505 electoral assurances, 404 have been fulfilled and the rest are in various stages, he added. "As usual, Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami does not know any of these. He has taken a decision to not see or listen to good things and not to speak the truth," Stalin said.

Admitting that promises like scrapping NEET could not be delivered, he said: "We do not deny that. As of now, we cannot fulfil that promise. Are we not making efforts? Though Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had assured exemption from NEET ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, it was the BJP which formed the government with support from some parties. The anti-people BJP-led NDA government will not last long."

On Palaniswami's criticism over foreign investments, Stalin said industries had exited the state during the AIADMK regime. Citing the investors' conference and foreign tours undertaken during the previous regime, he said less than 25 per cent of investment commitments fructified at that time.

In contrast, under the DMK government, "seventy-seven per cent of companies which signed MoUs have come (to Tamil Nadu)," while the rest are preparing to commence operations, he said.

The CM asserted his resolve to transform Tamil Nadu into a developed state not only in India but at the level of South Asia. He said he was not concerned about defamation, lies and blame games.

"We will win in the 2026 Assembly election as well. The next will also be our Dravidian model government. The people are ready," he added.