Tamil Nadu Budget 2026: TVK government merely changed names of DMK’s schemes, criticises Udhayanidhi Stalin

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) charged 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 Thanga Mothiram 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.

Mr. Udhayanidhi said the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme, the Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Scheme, and the Olympic Centres of Excellence had all been introduced during the DMK regime.

“Anbu Cholai, a scheme for the welfare of senior citizens, has been renamed Integrated Senior Citizen Homes. Similarly, the Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil laptop distribution scheme has been renamed the Vetri Laptop Scheme, Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Thittam has become Vetri Veedu Thittam, Model Schools have been renamed Thagaisal Pallikal, and Mudhalvar Padaipagangal has been renamed Digital Noolagam,” he said.

‘No courage for govt. in Mekedatu issue’

Referring to The Hindu’s report that Tamil Nadu’s receipt of Cauvery water in July had fallen to a 50-year low, Mr. Udhayanidhi alleged the government lacked the courage to prevent Karnataka from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu dam project.

DMK MLA and former Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the figures contained in the Revised Budget Estimates had disproved the criticism levelled against the previous DMK government in the White Paper released by the TVK-led regime earlier.

He said the State’s annual borrowing was around ₹1 lakh crore during the DMK’s tenure, but had now increased to ₹1.22 lakh crore. “The capital expenditure has been reduced by ₹3,000 crore, while the revenue deficit has increased to ₹7,000 crore. Revenue expenditure, which stood at ₹3.39 lakh crore, has risen to ₹4.05 lakh crore,” he said.