Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Udhayanidhi Stalin Accuses TVK Government of Farmer Neglect
Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the Tamil Nadu government at an event in Thanjavur.
He said farmers were suffering because water from Mettur Dam had not been released.
He said this hurt Kuruvai, a short-term crop.
He also argued that a farming package was not the same as money to compensate farmers for losses.
Udhayanidhi said several election promises had not been completed.
These promises included monthly help for women, cheaper or free cooking gas and unemployment payments.
He criticised plans to buy luxury cars for ruling-party lawmakers.
The report mainly presents his allegations and includes only a brief response from the Chief Minister about the Kuruvai package.
Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the TVK government of neglecting Cauvery delta farmers and administrative failure.
He alleged that Mettur Dam water was not released, disrupting Kuruvai cultivation.
He said the government had confused cultivation support packages with compensation for crop losses.
He alleged that promises involving women’s assistance, subsidised cooking gas and unemployment allowances remained unfulfilled.
He criticised planned luxury cars for ruling-party MLAs and said DMK legislators refused government-funded vehicles.
- Who
- Udhayanidhi Stalin, Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and a DMK leader, criticised the TVK government.
- What
- He alleged that the government neglected farmers, failed administratively and did not fulfil several electoral promises.
- When
- The remarks were reported on August 23, on a Sunday; the year is not specified.
- Where
- Pattukottai and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, including the Cauvery delta.
- Why
- He said delayed Mettur Dam water had harmed Kuruvai cultivation and criticised the government’s handling of relief, promises and public spending.
Opposition Allegations
Government Position
Water and farmer relief
Opposition Allegations
Udhayanidhi said Mettur Dam water was not released, Kuruvai cultivation was harmed and targeted drought compensation was not provided.
Government Position
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said in the Assembly that the Kuruvai package had been provided; the reports do not include a detailed government response to the other allegations.
Government performance
Opposition Allegations
Udhayanidhi described the administration as failing, said it had moved the state backwards and accused ruling-party MLAs of focusing on social-media clips instead of public issues.
Government Position
The reports do not provide a substantive response from the TVK government to these criticisms.
Spending priorities
Opposition Allegations
Udhayanidhi questioned luxury-car procurement for ruling-party MLAs while saying there was insufficient money for farm-loan waivers and promised welfare measures.
Government Position
The reports do not state the government’s justification for the vehicle procurement or respond to the funding allegations.
- Speaker
- Udhayanidhi Stalin
- Political role
- Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and DMK leader
- Affected region
- Cauvery delta
- Water issue
- Udhayanidhi alleged that Mettur Dam water had not been released during the relevant cultivation period; one report specifically cited June, July and August.
- Crop affected
- Kuruvai, a short-term crop
- Promised assistance cited
- Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women, subsidised or free cooking gas cylinders and unemployment allowances
- Vehicle controversy
- Udhayanidhi criticised plans to procure luxury cars for ruling-party MLAs and said DMK legislators refused the vehicles.
- Economic claim
- He said the previous DMK-led Dravidian Model government achieved a primary growth rate of 11.19 per cent.
