Stalin calls Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 'empty', demands relief for Cauvery Delta farmers
DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday dismissed the Tamil Nadu government's Agriculture Budget as an "empty" document, alleging that it failed to announce any meaningful relief for farmers in the Cauvery Delta region. In a social media post, Mr. Stalin said the Budget had merely heaped praise on the Chief Minister instead of addressing the drought situation and the distress faced by farmers.
Mr. Stalin questioned the government's approach, asking whether it believed its responsibility ended by merely renaming welfare schemes introduced by the previous DMK government with the prefix "Vetri." He said the DMK would raise farmers' issues throughout the Budget session and press the government to take corrective measures.
"The government, which is in sleep mode, should wake up and come out with a solution," he said.
The Agriculture Budget was presented in the Tamil Nadu Assembly earlier this week. The Cauvery Delta region, a key agricultural belt, has been reeling under drought conditions for the past two seasons, with farmers demanding adequate compensation and support for crop losses. The region is politically significant, and both the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK have been vying for the support of the farming community.
Mr. Stalin's criticism comes amid an ongoing political tussle between the DMK and the AIADMK government. The DMK has consistently accused the state government of neglecting farmers and failing to implement welfare measures effectively. The ruling party, however, has defended its budget, stating that it prioritises the needs of farmers and rural development.
The government is yet to respond officially to Mr. Stalin's allegations. The Budget session is expected to continue for several days, during which the DMK is likely to press its demands on the floor of the House.
Political observers note that the exchange is part of a broader pattern of confrontation between the two parties, with both seeking to consolidate their support bases ahead of future elections. The farmers' distress in the Cauvery Delta is likely to remain a key electoral issue in the coming months.
