Former Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu and DMK President MK Stalin on Thursday launched a sharp verbal attack on the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, led by CM C Joseph Vijay, terming the state’s agriculture budget ‘hollow’ and accused the administration of failing to address key concerns of farmers.
He posted a message on his official ‘X’ handle, urging the TVK government to wake up and respond to the challenges faced by the farming community, alleging that the maiden agriculture budget of the newly-formed government had ignored pivotal issues, including drought and crop losses.
DMK President MK Stalin
His post written in Tamil translated to, “Instead of addressing the drought, the Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2026 merely became a platform to sing praises and shower the Chief Minister with flattery.”
Stalin claims existing schemes were merely rebranded
The DMK supremo then alleged that the TVK government had failed to roll out new initiatives for farmers and had instead rebranded schemes which were launched by the previous ruling government, DMK.
He questioned, “Does this government believe its responsibility is fulfilled simply by attaching the label of ‘success’ to Dravidian model schemes?,” referring to welfare programmes initiated during the DMK’s tenure.
Furthermore, he claimed that the budget offered little support to farmers in the Cauvery Delta region, particularly those affected by disruptions to Kuruvai cultivation and awaiting government assistance.
He remarked, “This agricultural budget offers nothing to the farmers of the Delta region, whose Kuruvai cultivation has been affected and who are waiting for a helping hand from the government. It is an utterly hollow budget.” Calling the government ‘slumbering,’ he added, “The government must wake up and provide answers. Solutions must be found.”
Udhayanidhi calls budget ‘Absolutely nothing’
Tamil Nadu’s Leader of Opposition (LoP) and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin also slammed the agriculture budget, describing it as ‘absolute nothing’ and accusing CM Vijay of failing to fulfil promises made to farmers during the election campaign.
LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin
Addressing reporters outside the State Assembly, he said the government had ‘betrayed’ farmers by not delivering on main commitments. He also raised the issue of the Cauvery and Mekedatu disputes, saying the DMK had repeatedly demanded an all-party meeting to demonstrate political unity in Tamil Nadu on the matter.
He asserted, “We need to show that all political parties in Tamil Nadu stand united on this issue. But as usual, the Chief Minister remains silent and refuses to respond.”