In a sharp critique of the ruling dispensation, Dr Krishnasamy, the president of the Puthiya Tamilagam party, has accused the Tamil Nadu government of resorting to pre-election populism by announcing a cash gift of ₹3000 for Pongal. He alleged that the government, which provided no such financial assistance for the festival in the previous two years, has made the announcement solely because the state elections are drawing near.
Allegations of Opportunistic Announcements
Addressing a press conference in Madurai on Monday, Dr Krishnasamy dismissed the cash announcement as a political gimmick. He expressed confidence that such last-minute sops would fail to create any significant impact on the electorate's decision. The leader charged the state government with making a series of continuous announcements over the past few days, all with an eye fixed firmly on the upcoming polls.
He pointed to two specific instances: the recent declaration of a pension scheme for government employees and the current ₹3000 Pongal gift. According to him, this pattern reveals a government attempting to win favour through announcements timed for electoral gain rather than sustained welfare governance.
Thirupparankundram Issue and Party's Future Plans
Responding to questions on a separate issue, Dr Krishnasamy also commented on the failure to light the traditional lamp atop the Thirupparankundram hill. He stated that it was not right for the Tamil Nadu government to stubbornly refuse permission for the ceremony despite existing court orders.
The press meet was held to announce Puthiya Tamilagam's 7th state conference, scheduled for January 7. Dr Krishnasamy revealed that the conference would be a platform for crucial discussions shaping the party's future trajectory. Important resolutions regarding the party's stance for the 2026 assembly elections and potential alliance strategies are expected to be passed during the event.
Political Repercussions and Voter Sentiment
The accusations highlight the heightened political rhetoric as Tamil Nadu moves closer to its next electoral battle. The direct charge of using festival grants as an election tool is aimed at undermining the government's credibility and framing its actions as insincere. Whether this narrative gains traction with voters, who are often the recipients of such schemes, remains a key question. The upcoming state conference of Puthiya Tamilagam is now poised to set the tone for its opposition strategy, focusing on what it calls the ruling party's opportunistic policies versus its own proposed agenda for the state.
