The Tamil Nadu BJP has urged Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to raise the Pongal cash gift from Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000, to be given alongside the customary Pongal gift hamper. The demand, put forth by BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad, accuses the ruling DMK of withholding rightful Pongal benefits over the past four years. Prasad criticized the DMK for offering a meager Rs 3,000 cash assistance before elections, alleging that it falls short of compensating for previous years’ reductions.
The BJP spokesperson highlighted the contrast with the previous AIADMK government, which provided Rs 2,500 cash along with the Pongal gift hamper in 2021. According to Prasad, the DMK decreased the cash amount to Rs 1,000 in 2022 and 2023, omitted cash aid in 2024, and followed a similar pattern in 2025. He claimed that Tamil Nadu families should have received at least Rs 10,000 in Pongal cash support from 2022 to 2025 based on earlier standards, but were allegedly deprived of nearly Rs 8,000 during this period.
The BJP suggested combining the announced Rs 3,000 with Rs 5,000 in arrears from previous years to ensure a fair Rs 8,000 Pongal cash gift for 2026. The party argued that this adjustment would demonstrate genuine concern for residents grappling with escalating living expenses. Criticizing the DMK for neglecting welfare commitments and tarnishing the state’s governance reputation, the BJP called on Chief Minister Stalin to promptly enhance the Pongal cash aid to Rs 8,000 and include it in the traditional gift hamper distribution.
The BJP emphasized that restoring the complete Pongal benefit was crucial to uphold justice for the people of Tamil Nadu.
