Tamil Nadu Budget: TVK government merely changed the name of DMK’s schemes, alleges Udhayanidhi
Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has accused the current Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government of merely rebranding existing schemes launched by the previous DMK administration. He further criticized the government for failing to fulfill election promises regarding welfare benefits for children.
Why it matters
This highlights the political friction and narrative battles between competing regional parties in Tamil Nadu regarding policy continuity and governance.
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday alleged the only change ushered in by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led (TVK) government was the renaming of schemes introduced by the previous DMK government.
Talking to reporters in Chennai after the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27 was presented in the Legislative Assembly, he charged the Chief Minister’s pre-Budget meeting with officials had been convened solely to rename schemes launched by the erstwhile Dravidian Model government.
Referring to the Thaimaman Thangamothiram Scheme announced in the Budget, Mr. Udhayanidhi said it fell short of the Chief Minister’s election promise, which, he claimed, was to extend the benefit to all children in Tamil Nadu.
“Now the Budget says the scheme will be implemented only for children born in government hospitals. There is no announcement to fulfil the election promises,” he said.
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