“Even the BJP knows it cannot win in Tamil Nadu.” – Thirumavalavan
Delhi: VCK President Thirumavalavan has stated that since the BJP knows it cannot come to power in Tamil Nadu, it has not allocated any significant funds to the state in the Union Budget. He further remarked that this raises the question of whether the BJP is functioning with an ulterior motive to prevent Tamil Nadu from progressing further.
The Union Government presented the Budget on February 1. Discussions regarding it are currently underway. Speaking during Wednesday’s debate, VCK President Thirumavalavan strongly criticized the BJP government, stating that the Budget does not contain any schemes for Tamil Nadu.
The Leader’s Statement:
Elaborating further, he said:
“This Budget is anti-poor and against marginalized communities. It is a Budget that betrays farmers and workers. Not only that, it targets non-Hindi speaking states including Tamil Nadu, and discriminates against states that are not ruled by or cannot be ruled by the BJP.
No new schemes have been announced for Tamil Nadu in this Budget. No financial allocations have been made. Funds have already been denied for schemes such as Samagra Shiksha and Jal Jeevan Mission. No new projects have been announced, and Tamil Nadu has been neglected.
States had demanded that the share of tax devolution be increased to 50% through the 16th Finance Commission. However, the Union Government has once again retained it at only 41%.”
Budget Against Tamil Nadu:
According to this allocation, Tamil Nadu receives only about 4%. Moreover, ₹1,200 crore has reportedly been reduced in this Budget. The rejection of metro rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai is deeply disappointing. Similarly, the demand for an airport in Hosur, which is emerging as an industrial hub, has also been rejected.
“This raises the question of whether these actions are driven by an intention to prevent Tamil Nadu from advancing further,” he said.
Central Government’s Discrimination:
“You have renamed the 100-day employment scheme and announced it as a 125-day employment scheme. However, you have amended the rules in such a way that developed states like Tamil Nadu are unable to effectively implement even the 100-day employment scheme.
The changes seem to be based on the notion that a developed state like Tamil Nadu does not require such schemes. Tamil Nadu is a state that ranks first in India in education, healthcare, and industrial development. Instead of encouraging such a state further, it is concerning that the government appears to be functioning with the intention of neglecting Tamil Nadu.”
“Cannot Win in Tamil Nadu”
“When elections were held in Bihar, several new schemes were announced for Bihar. With elections due soon in Tamil Nadu, at least for that reason funds could have been allocated. But that has not happened.
This indicates that the BJP believes allocating funds to Tamil Nadu would not yield political benefit, as it knows it cannot come to power there. It appears to be indirectly conveying that message.
There is no provision in this Budget to create employment opportunities for youth in Tamil Nadu. Overall, this Budget has neglected Tamil Nadu,” he stated.