Udhayanidhi Stalin Condemns Tamil Nadu Budget and Recent Arrest

Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin condemned the ruling TVK government on Wednesday, calling the 2026-27 state budget a "rebranding exercise." Following the presentation of the budget by Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, Stalin alleged the government merely renamed previous DMK programs, such as the Vetri Laptop Scheme, without introducing new welfare measures. He claimed the budget lacked any schemes to fulfill election promises.

Stalin further asserted that his recent arrest was a diversionary tactic designed to prevent him from addressing the Cauvery water dispute and the Mekedatu dam project. He also pointed to a decline in law and order, citing six caste-based murders and five custodial deaths occurring over the last five weeks. The opposition criticized Chief Minister Joseph Vijay for his silence regarding Stalin's detention.

The TVK government defended the budget as a strategic roadmap intended to grow the state economy to $1.5 trillion by 2031. The administration highlighted plans for school modernization, the "Super Clean, Super Campus" initiative, and new revenue streams, including a levy on liquor manufacturers.