Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 15 : BJP leader CR Kesavan on Saturday criticised the Chief Minister MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government's budget, calling it 'dismal, directionless' and insensitive to the people's needs.
CR Kesavan alleged that the budget disregards the people's critical needs while burdening the state with a mounting debt of Rs 9.3 lakh crore, making Tamil Nadu the highest debtor in the country.
"DMK government's 'dismal budget' is similar to a directionless drifting vehicle, which does not have any driver to control the steering wheel reliably. This inconsiderate budget ignores the important needs of the people and is insensitive to the aspirations and necessities of what the people need. The DMK's budget is insufficient and insensitive to the needs of the people, leading to an increase in debt to 9.3 lakh crore, making Tamil Nadu the highest debtor in the country. This has imposed a burden and distress on all sections---the youth, elders and poor of the state," said the BJP leader.
Linking the budget to the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the state-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor business, the BJP leader alleged that the latest revelations in the case have overshadowed the budgetary discussions.
"The insipid budget now has been overshadowed by ED's ongoing probe in the state government-owned TASMAC Liquor Corporation Just a day before the budget was out, ED had released a very important statment, where they said that after the raids they have incriminating data revealing multiple irregularities in the TASMAC, including manipulation in tender processes, unaccounted cash transactions, and excessive bottles charging at TASMAC outlets," stated CR Kesawan.
Kesavan claimed that the ED's findings suggest that the TASMAC liquor scam is "even larger than the Delhi liquor scam," which led to the downfall of the AAP government in the national capital.
"The ED statement suggests the TASMAC scam is larger than the Delhi liquor scam, which ultimately led to the downfall of (AAP) government in Delhi," he said.
He further emphasised that liquor sales form one of Tamil Nadu's primary revenue streams, making it imperative for the DMK government to respond to the serious allegations.
"The DMK government has a lot to answer for. Their financial mismanagement and corruption allegations raise serious concerns about governance in Tamil Nadu," Kesavan added.
Earlier on Friday, Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundarajan said that the DMK government had tabled a "failed and empty" budget in the State Assembly.
She further stated that the only aim of the Chief Minister MK Stalin-led State government was to change the logo of the State budget and not the fate of the people.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai also slammed the DMK government over its budget and claimed that the State budget presented offers nothing more than "empty announcements for publicity" and "commits thousands of crores of corruption" every year.
"It is no wonder that the budget released by the DMK every year is so empty, containing nothing but empty announcements for publicity, without fulfilling any election promises, and only committing thousands of crores of corruption," posted Annamalai on X.
This comes after Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the fifth budget of the DMK government on Friday.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced in his budget speech that the State Government has allocated funds, including teacher salaries, from its own resources to ensure that the education of Government school students remains unaffected, even in the slightest way.
Minister Thangam Thennarasu also mentioned that the Government is very strong in the two-language policy despite the challenging situation.