Tamil Nadu Assembly: All 59 DMK MLAs say no to government cars
DMK MLAs in Tamil Nadu have collectively refused a government offer to provide cars and monthly maintenance allowances to all legislators. The opposition party cited the state's current financial constraints as the primary reason for rejecting the perks.
Why it matters
This move highlights the ongoing debate over government spending and the optics of political privilege during periods of fiscal austerity.
Leader of the Opposition and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin told the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday (August 21, 2026) that all the 59 DMK MLAs have decided not to avail themselves of the cars to be provided by the State government.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had announced in the Assembly on August 19 that the State government would provide a car to every MLA, along with ₹75,000 a month towards its maintenance and fuel costs and ₹25,000 a month towards appointing an assistant to each MLA.
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