Chennai: Hours after the state govt credited 5,000 to Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam beneficiaries, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the move was due to fear of electoral defeat.Refuting chief minister M K Stalin’s allegation that a “gang in Delhi and its subservient forces in TN’ were attempting to stall the scheme, EPS said no one was trying to block any welfare measure. He said the scheme was not interrupted during 2024 LS polls. Stalin’s announcement enhancing the monthly assistance from 1,000 to 2,000 was also copied from the AIADMK’s promise of ‘Kulavilakku scheme’ which would offer 2000 monthly, he said. On the 2,000 summer special grant, EPS questioned why was such a special grant not given during the summer in past years. EPS alleged that since its launch in Sept 2023, the govt disbursed 34,000 each to all beneficiaries in total. “However, each family suffered a loss of 3.5 lakh during the period due to DMK’s misgovernance,” he said.BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran said the govt denied women financial assistance for long periods after coming to power and was now attempting a last-minute course correction ahead of elections. AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran alleged that the announcement was not out of genuine concern for women, but due to fear of electoral defeat. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said the public were aware that ongoing welfare schemes would not be stopped during elections.NTK leader Seeman questioned the state’s fiscal position, accusing the DMK govt of adding the debt burden of TN.
