BJP Slams DMK with ‘All Fail’ Report Card in Tamil Nadu Assembly

The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu heated up on Friday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. The BJP released a symbolic "report card" assessing the DMK's performance, accusing it of failing to deliver on its electoral promises.

BJP's "All Fail" Report Card

Tamil Nadu BJP State President and MLA Nainar Nagendran unveiled the report card within the Assembly premises. Designed like an exam score sheet, it listed promises made by the DMK and highlighted how many remained unfulfilled. Nagendran declared that the DMK had "failed in every category," accusing the government of merely repeating old announcements in the Budget without introducing new initiatives.

Heated Assembly Debate

The release of the report card followed a fiery exchange in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly during Thursday's debate on the Interim Budget. BJP leaders criticized the Budget as lacking vision and future planning. Nagendran described it as a "mirage," claiming it offered no roadmap for the state's future. He went further, suggesting that the DMK avoided outlining long-term plans because it feared losing power in the next election.

In response, DMK ministers defended the Interim Budget's scope. EV Velu, Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, explained that interim budgets are meant to cover ongoing schemes, not future projects. He assured that plans for 2026 would be presented after the DMK returned to power.

Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu reinforced this position, stating that the Budget compiled development schemes already implemented and was designed to ensure continuity if the DMK retained office. He insisted that funds had been allocated and that "future schemes will be announced after the Chief Minister forms the government again."

Debt Concerns

Nagendran also raised alarm over Tamil Nadu's rising debt, claiming the state had borrowed ₹6.2 lakh crore in the past five years. He argued that this translated to nearly ₹5 lakh debt per person in a household of four, painting a grim picture of the state's financial health.

Political Significance

The BJP's symbolic report card and sharp criticism highlight its strategy to position itself as a strong opposition force in Tamil Nadu, traditionally dominated by regional parties. The DMK, meanwhile, is defending its governance record and projecting confidence about returning to power.

The clash over the Interim Budget and the BJP's "report card" underscores the intensifying political rivalry in Tamil Nadu. With debt concerns, governance claims, and electoral promises at the center of debate, the state's political discourse is set to grow sharper as the next election approaches.