Tamil Nadu Budget 2025: BJP, AIADMK stage walkout over rupee symbol, TASMAC scam - Tamil Nadu News | India Today
The BJP and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly during the state Budget 2025-26 presentation, protesting against the DMK government’s move to replace the rupee symbol and alleged corruption in Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC).
BJP state president K Annamalai slammed the budget, calling it an “eyewash.” “We have walked out of the budget. TASMAC is a big issue today. EPS also walked out. This shows how anti-democratic the DMK government has become. They make Rs 50,000 crore from TASMAC, but the state’s debt is over Rs 9 lakh crore. There’s nothing productive in this budget,” he said.
On the delimitation issue, Annamalai asserted that the DMK was unnecessarily making it controversial. "It’s not an issue at all. The Home Minister has said it’s pro rata, and it will remain the same. No one’s share will increase or decrease,” he added.
BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan attended the session wearing a black saree as a mark of protest. “This government has lost its credibility. We welcome using Tamil in our courses, but in the name of Tamil and culture, they are trying to go against the nation’s symbol. This disrespect is against the Constitution,” she said.
She also questioned the DMK’s stance on the rupee symbol, reminding that former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had celebrated Udhay Kumar, who designed it. “Why are you fooling the people?” she asked.
AIADMK MLAs attempted to raise allegations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a Rs 1,000 crore scam in TASMAC liquor sales but were denied permission. Following this, they joined the BJP in walking out. Tamil Nadu Speaker M Appavu later stated that he would allow discussions on the ED allegations on Monday.
Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami demanded the resignation of the DMK government, citing moral responsibility over the scam.
Published On:
Mar 14, 2025