BJP Criticizes Tamil Nadu Budget, prompting 4 MLAs and AIADMK to Walk Out
BJP and AIADMK Walkout During Tamil Nadu Budget Reading
In a dramatic turn of events during the reading of Tamil Nadu’s 2025/26 budget, the BJP’s four Tamil Nadu MLAs staged a walkout from the Assembly. This move came after the AIADMK’s 60+ MLAs also walked out, highlighting the increasing tension between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the opposition parties – BJP and AIADMK. The walkout was a protest against the currency symbol swap and corruption allegations in TASMAC, the state liquor sales agency.
The Rising Tension in Tamil Nadu Politics
The walkout by the BJP and AIADMK MLAs is indicative of the growing tension in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. With the Assembly election looming next year, the state is gearing up for a crucial test of the saffron party’s popularity in a region that has historically favored the Dravidian political narrative over the BJP’s nationalist agenda.
K Annamalai, the BJP’s state unit chief, criticized the budget presentation, calling it an "eye-washing exercise" with no productive outcomes. He also accused the Tamil Nadu government of not learning from past mistakes, alluding to the ongoing controversies surrounding the budget.
The Re-Ru Swap Controversy
The main bone of contention leading to the walkout was the controversial Re-Ru swap in the budget logo. The swap, replacing the rupee symbol (Re) with the Tamil letter (Ru), sparked a heated debate between the DMK and the BJP. K Annamalai labeled Chief Minister MK Stalin as "stupid" for the swap, accusing the government of creating unnecessary chaos.
While the DMK defended the swap as a move to prioritize Tamil language, the BJP and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemned it as "secessionist" and indicative of a dangerous mindset. The exchange highlighted the ongoing battle between the DMK and the BJP over issues like ‘Hindi imposition’.
Allegations of Corruption in TASMAC
In addition to the currency symbol swap, the BJP also targeted the DMK over alleged corruption in TASMAC. The Enforcement Directorate’s claims of financial irregularities and malpractice in TASMAC’s operations led to further discontent among opposition parties.
BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan pointed to the financial irregularities and the disrespect shown to the currency symbol as reasons for the walkout. The accusations of corruption have put the DMK government under scrutiny, with demands for immediate action from the AIADMK and other opposition parties.
AIADMK’s Stand
The AIADMK, the main rival of the ruling DMK, has cautiously supported protests against ‘Hindi imposition’ while focusing its criticism on the corruption allegations in TASMAC. Party leader E Palaniswami led a walkout of AIADMK MLAs in protest against the accusations, demanding accountability from the DMK government.
The ongoing tensions and allegations of corruption in TASMAC have set the stage for a heated political climate in Tamil Nadu as parties gear up for the upcoming Assembly election.
Conclusion
As the political landscape in Tamil Nadu heats up, the walkout by BJP and AIADMK MLAs during the budget reading signals a deepening divide between the ruling DMK and the opposition parties. With allegations of corruption and controversies over language symbols, the state is witnessing a turbulent period in the run-up to the crucial Assembly election. The coming months are likely to see further confrontations and political maneuvers as parties vie for power and influence in Tamil Nadu.