Stalin Calls Vijay Government Budget a Waste
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has criticised the Vijay-led government’s first Budget, calling it a “waste” and accusing the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam of rebranding schemes introduced under the previous DMK administration.
MK Stalin Attacks Vijay Government Budget
Stalin said he had expected the new government to present a transformative Budget reflecting TVK’s campaign promises. Instead, he claimed the document offered few original programmes and largely reproduced the previous government’s welfare framework under different names.
The DMK president described the Budget as a “remake of the Dravidian Model,” arguing that the government had indirectly acknowledged the value of schemes it criticised while campaigning. His remarks continued the political confrontation between the DMK and TVK following the April Assembly election.
DMK Alleges Welfare Scheme Rebranding
The Vijay government confirmed that existing welfare programmes would continue despite the change in administration. It also announced new benefits, including gold assistance for brides, gold rings for newborns in government hospitals and free laptops for students.
Stalin alleged that several education, urban-development and welfare announcements were either extensions or renamed versions of projects initiated during his government. He also criticised the Budget for not adequately addressing employment, farmers’ concerns and other major public issues.
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin separately called the Budget a rebranding exercise lacking substantive new measures.
TVK Budget Faces Opposition Scrutiny
Finance Minister Marie Wilson allocated ₹44,527 crore for school education, ₹29,863 crore for municipal administration and water supply, and ₹21,524 crore for highways and road development.
The Budget also retained earlier welfare benefits while introducing initiatives covering artificial intelligence, road safety, affordable housing and assistance for persons with disabilities.
Opposition parties have questioned how the government will finance its wider election commitments while managing Tamil Nadu’s rising debt and fiscal deficit. The TVK administration has maintained that it is balancing welfare continuity with infrastructure investment and long-term economic growth.
