'Complete Zero': Udhayanidhi Stalin Tears Into TVK's First Budget, Says Poll Promises Still Unfulfilled

Published 5 August 2026 · politics

News india 'Complete Zero': Udhayanidhi Stalin Tears Into TVK's First Budget, Says Poll Promises Still Unfulfilled 'Complete Zero': Udhayanidhi Stalin Tears Into TVK's First Budget

News india 'Complete Zero': Udhayanidhi Stalin Tears Into TVK's First Budget, Says Poll Promises Still Unfulfilled 'Complete Zero': Udhayanidhi Stalin Tears Into TVK's First Budget, Says Poll Promises Still Unfulfilled Published By, Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 13:53 IST DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin called the TVK government's first Tamil Nadu Budget a "complete zero", alleging it ignored farmers' issues and failed to fulfil key election promises. Udhayanidhi Stalin attacked the TVK government's maiden Tamil Nadu Budget, alleging that key promises remain unfulfilled and accusing the ruling party of merely renaming DMK-era welfare schemes. (Photos: PTI) DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the TVK government’s maiden budget, calling it a “complete zero" and accusing the ruling dispensation of failing to fulfil key election promises while merely renaming welfare schemes introduced by previous DMK governments. Reacting to Finance Minister N Marie Wilson’s budget presented in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi said the budget offered “nothing new" despite what he described as attempts by the government to create a “photo opportunity." “The TVK government’s first budget is a complete zero," Udhayanidhi said, alleging that the government’s promises remained largely on paper. The DMK leader claimed that one of the biggest concerns ignored in the budget was the plight of farmers.

He alleged that water had not been released to farmers, forcing them to continue their protests. “Water is not being released. Farmers are protesting," Udhayanidhi said, accusing the government of failing to address one of the state’s most pressing issues. He also targeted the government’s loan waiver promise, saying it had been announced with conditions and had still not been implemented. “The TVK has announced loan waivers but with conditions. This has also not been fulfilled yet," he said. Demanding greater accountability, Udhayanidhi said the opposition had consistently sought clarity from the government. “We have always asked the TVK to give the roadmap on when all the promises will be fulfilled," he said. ‘Only Changing Names Of DMK Schemes’ Stepping up his attack, Udhayanidhi alleged that the benefits currently reaching people in Tamil Nadu were largely due to welfare initiatives introduced during previous DMK governments. “Tamil Nadu is reaping benefits because of DMK’s schemes in the past," he said. He further accused the ruling party of simply rebranding existing welfare programmes instead of introducing fresh initiatives. “The TVK only changes the names of the schemes launched by the DMK," Udhayanidhi alleged. Questioning the government’s presentation of the Budget, he added, “Why have a photo opportunity? There is nothing new in the Budget." What The TVK Government Announced In Budget Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson presented the TVK government’s first Budget and highlighted several flagship welfare measures.