Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad supported the Union government’s development efforts in the state, attributing Tamil Nadu’s growth to increased central funding and flagship schemes initiated under the NDA governments of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. Prasad refuted claims of bias made by the DMK-led alliance against the Union Budget, changes to the MGNREGS, and the India–US trade agreement, labeling them as politically driven and misleading. He emphasized that the Modi government extended the employment guarantee scheme to 125 days and raised wages, with the responsibility for implementation lying with state governments.
Prasad highlighted the introduction of certain funding conditions to address reported irregularities in some states, including Tamil Nadu, and emphasized the rise in funds allocated to Tamil Nadu during the NDA tenure compared to the UPA period. He credited BJP-led administrations for initiating key infrastructure and industrial projects that have significantly impacted the state’s economy. Projects such as the Golden Quadrilateral highway, TIDEL Park in Chennai, and the development of automobile and electronics manufacturing clusters around the capital region were mentioned as key contributors to the state’s progress.
The spokesperson also pointed out the positive impact of welfare programs like the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’, and ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’ on rural infrastructure and living standards in Tamil Nadu. He highlighted the substantial increase in rural tap water coverage post-2019, benefiting numerous households in the state. Regarding the India–US trade agreement, Prasad expressed optimism about its potential to benefit small and medium enterprises and enhance exports from Tamil Nadu’s industrial hubs, criticizing the DMK for opposing it for political reasons.
As political tensions rise ahead of the Assembly elections, Prasad urged the DMK to present comparative funding data from previous regimes, underscoring the pivotal role of central assistance in Tamil Nadu’s development.
