Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, has slammed the Tamil Nadu Budget, calling it a “massive zero”.
He said the schemes had been announced without timelines for fulfilling the promises and that “the #SofaModel government has presented a revised budget.”
Finance Minister Marie Wilson presented the TVK’s maiden budget in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday.
Mocking the Vijay government, he added, “Those who came to power chanting ‘change, change’ are making name changes to the schemes of the Dravidian Model government led by DMK president @mkstalin their full-time job, and this budget too stands as a witness to that. Just as the 100-day rule is a complete zero, this revised budget too is a massive zero.”
The first Budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has put young people at the centre of its development agenda, with major announcements covering education, laptops, student housing, artificial intelligence, skill development, employment and sports.
The Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27 focus on social justice, the welfare of disadvantaged communities, the empowerment of differently abled persons, governance reforms and revenue mobilisation.
Notably, the Tamil Nadu government has also allocated over Rs 1,300 crore for two gold assistance schemes. The Vijay government plans to provide an 8-gram gold coin and a silk saree to women beneficiaries during their weddings.
The government has also decided to provide gold rings to newborns in government hospitals.
Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “Moreover, this budget is merely a ‘remake version’ of the #DravidianModel government’s existing schemes!”
The DMK leader said the Budget showed no concern for issues such as farmers’ grievances, electricity tariff anomalies or the rising cost of living. He stated that the government had failed to announce any new visionary projects required for the state.
He then questioned the TVK government over its poll promises, including Rs 2,000 for women, Rs 4,000 for unemployed youth and six free LPG cylinders.
He concluded, “All in all, the ‘Reels Government’s’ maiden Budget has turned out to be a damp squib-devoid of original ideas, failing to deliver on promises made and completely lacklustre.”