DMK Targets TVK Govt Over 3% GST Growth, Flags Declining Industrial Investment

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday criticised the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government over the state's economic performance, alleging a sharp slowdown in GST revenue growth and the loss of a major Korean investment proposal to Andhra Pradesh.

In a post on X, Stalin claimed that Tamil Nadu's GST revenue growth stood at just 3 per cent in October, significantly below the national average of 22.9 per cent. He alleged that the state's economic progress had suffered under the TVK government due to policy paralysis and administrative failures.

Stalin also alleged that a Rs 1,614-crore Korean investment proposal, which was initially intended for Tamil Nadu, had shifted to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh due to the state government's negligence.

He further accused the government of weakening Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state's investment promotion and single-window clearance agency, alleging that its functioning had been compromised by internal interests within the ruling dispensation.

Taking a swipe at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Stalin said the state's economic future was at stake while the chief minister was occupied with public roadshows in constituencies ahead of upcoming by-elections.

Former finance minister and DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu also criticised the government, citing October GST figures to highlight the gap between Tamil Nadu and other southern states. According to figures shared by him, Andhra Pradesh recorded 24 per cent GST growth, Kerala 23 per cent, Karnataka 18 per cent and Telangana 14 per cent, against Tamil Nadu's 3 per cent.

He added that Tamil Nadu had witnessed contractions of 1 per cent in August and 5 per cent in September. Thennarasu urged the government to strengthen domestic manufacturing and expand sales to other states and overseas markets, rather than depending heavily on taxes collected on imported goods. He said boosting production was essential for economic growth and employment generation.