‘Circus Company, Not Government’: Udhayanidhi Launches Fresh Attack on Tamil Nadu Govt

Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday accused the ruling government of administrative failure and neglect of Cauvery Delta farmers, alleging that the non-release of Mettur dam water had pushed the region into drought-like conditions.

Speaking at a wedding ceremony, the DMK leader alleged that water had not been released from the Mettur dam during June, July and August, severely affecting Kuruvai cultivation across the Delta region. He criticised the government for failing to provide adequate drought relief, alleging that routine assistance was being portrayed as targeted compensation for affected farmers.

Udhayanidhi also accused the government of failing to fulfil several electoral promises, including Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women, subsidised cooking gas cylinders and unemployment allowances. He questioned the administration’s spending priorities, particularly its decision to procure luxury cars for ruling party MLAs while allegedly claiming insufficient funds for farmers and welfare measures.

The DMK leader reiterated that DMK legislators had refused to accept the government-funded vehicles, calling the move inappropriate amid the financial difficulties faced by farmers. Referring to his recent arrest during a protest supporting farmers’ demands in Thanjavur, Udhayanidhi alleged that police had abruptly changed the route to Sengipatti police station. He further claimed that contradictory statements were made by the police before the court regarding his detention.

Taking a broader swipe at the administration, he described it as a “circus company”, alleging that ministers relied on social media clips and diversionary tactics instead of addressing questions on electricity tariff increases and public grievances.

Udhayanidhi claimed the previous DMK-led ‘Dravidian Model’ government had helped Tamil Nadu achieve a primary growth rate of 11.19 per cent. He alleged that the current administration had reversed the state’s progress and expressed confidence that voters would soon deliver a political verdict against the ruling regime.

The government has faced growing political criticism over the Cauvery Delta’s agricultural concerns, with the issue emerging as a major point of contention between the ruling establishment and the Opposition.