Stalin has plunged Tamil Nadu into unprecedented debt, says Palaniswami

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of plunging Tamil Nadu into unprecedented debt, claiming that the State now topped the chart in availing loans and burdening individuals with increasing liabilities.

Addressing a public meeting in Vedaranyam as part of his Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom campaign, Mr. Palaniswami said: “Under Mr. Stalin’s government, a child is born with a debt of ₹1.5 lakh. This is the result of financial mismanagement and poor governance.”

He alleged that the DMK government had borrowed over ₹5 lakh crore since coming to power this term and warned that the burden of repayment would fall on the people. “To cover these debts, they will impose new taxes or increase existing ones. It is the public who will pay for the government’s inefficiency,” he said. “The DMK calls Mr. Stalin a ‘Super Chief Minister’ and claims Tamil Nadu leads the nation. But the State tops only in getting loans,” he added.

Vacancies in government posts

Mr. Palaniswami said nearly 5 lakh posts remained vacant across direct government departments and associated sectors. “But under this government, only 50,000 vacancies have been filled,” he said. Over 20,000 government employees retired in a single month recently, and more than 75,000 retired over the past four years.

“When will all these vacancies be filled? In today’s situation, even educated youth are struggling to find employment,” the former Chief Minister added.

While addressing a gathering in Nagapattinam Town, Mr. Palaniswami referred to the Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery project — an initiative estimated at ₹11,500 crore that was proposed during the AIADMK regime and approved by the Centre. He said preliminary work had begun with an initial outlay of ₹990 crore, aimed at preventing the mixing of contaminated water in the Cauvery and ensuring it is cleaned before release.

“This was a visionary project of the AIADMK government, but the DMK has shown no interest in taking it forward or pressing for its speedy implementation. When the AIADMK returns to power, we will work closely with the Centre and ensure it is completed,” he said.

Later in the day, a roadshow was held from Thagattoor Kadai Veethi to Vaimedu Kadai Veethi in Vedaranyam, drawing enthusiastic participation from party cadres and the public.

Earlier, Mr. Palaniswami visited the Velankanni Basilica, where he lit candles and offered prayers. He also visited the coastal villages of Seruthur and Nabiyarnagar, where he interacted with the fishing community.

In Nagapattinam town, he addressed another gathering at a private hall near Puthur, where he held discussions with representatives of farmer organisations, fishermen leaders, and students on issues affecting the district.