Udhayanidhi Stalin leads DMK's black shirt protest before Budget Session
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Thursday as DMK leaders, led by Udhayanidhi Stalin, arrived wearing black shirts to protest against the
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Thursday as DMK leaders, led by Udhayanidhi Stalin, arrived wearing black shirts to protest against the Cauvery water dispute, just before the presentation of the TVK government's first Agriculture Budget. The DMK legislators entered the Assembly dressed in black, signalling the party's opposition to the government's handling of the long-running Cauvery water dispute and the proposed balancing reservoir at Mekedatu in neighbouring Karnataka. Read Full Story The protest coincided with the presentation of the Agriculture Budget by Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R Vinoth, marking the first such budget of Chief Minister Vijay's government.
The Assembly session comes amid heightened political debate over issues including the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project, and demands from farmers for greater support, including loan waivers. The Mekedatu project has remained a major flashpoint between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for years. While Karnataka argues the proposed balancing reservoir is intended to improve water storage and drinking water supply, Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, contending that it could reduce downstream flows crucial for irrigation in the state. The issue has regained political prominence in recent weeks, with farmers staging protests demanding adequate Cauvery water for cultivation.
On Wednesday, the state's 2026-27 Budget was presented by Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, in which the government outlined its ambition of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031. In response, former Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on the TVK government's maiden Budget, describing it as a "reel government" budget that lacked originality. He alleged it merely repackaged welfare schemes introduced by the previous DMK administration and failed to adequately address farmers' concerns about rising living costs. On his part, Udhayanidhi called the Budget a "big zero", alleging that several schemes announced by the administration were merely initiatives of the previous DMK government repackaged under different names.
"The marks for this Budget are a big zero," Udhayanidhi told reporters, accusing the government of failing to deliver on its election promises while taking credit for schemes introduced during the DMK's tenure. Ends
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