Chennai, May 11:
In a significant post-swearing-in announcement, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said his government would soon release a comprehensive White Paper on Tamil Nadu’s finances for the 2021–2026 period, setting the stage for a political face-off with the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime.
Addressing the public after assuming office, Vijay alleged that the State was facing a severe fiscal crunch, claiming that Tamil Nadu was burdened with a debt of nearly Rs 10 lakh crore. He described the treasury as “empty” and said his government had inherited a substantial financial burden, which would be detailed transparently in the proposed White Paper.
The announcement is seen as an attempt by the newly formed government to outline the fiscal legacy of the previous administration and justify its policy decisions in the coming months.
Vijay asserted that people had the right to know the true state of finances and the extent of liabilities left behind.
Responding strongly, former Chief Minister M. K. Stalin rejected the claims and advised Vijay against projecting an image of financial distress. “Please do not start saying there is no money with the government. The funds are there. What is needed is the will to provide for the people and the administrative capability,” Stalin said.
He maintained that Tamil Nadu’s debt remained within permissible limits and pointed out that the State’s fiscal position had already been clearly presented in the Budget earlier this year. Stalin also underlined that his government had successfully implemented several welfare schemes despite facing unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and what he termed as financial constraints imposed by the Union government.
Taking a cautionary tone, Stalin urged the new Chief Minister not to mislead the public or deviate from facts, noting that Vijay had made several promises to the electorate with full knowledge of the State’s financial condition. He added that governance requires balancing commitments with fiscal discipline and administrative efficiency.
Stalin further remarked that Vijay, who entered office promising only implementable assurances, would now have to navigate the complexities of governance.
“Do not disappoint or mislead the voters who trusted you. I, along with the people, expect that from you,” he said.
With the White Paper announcement, the political discourse in Tamil Nadu is expected to intensify, as the ruling dispensation and the opposition lock horns over the State’s financial health and the narrative surrounding it.