Tamil Nadu's 6,500 Crore 'Surgical Strike': 5,000 Deposited for 1.31 Crore Women
Early on Friday morning, a wave of joy swept across Tamil Nadu as 5,000 was credited to the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam. The opposition was left stunned by this sudden financial infusion, while Chief Minister M K Stalin, orchestrating what insiders termed a "surgical strike," smirked with satisfaction. This move came just twelve days after the Supreme Court indicated readiness to examine the practice of political parties announcing freebies ahead of elections, a development that could have halted the government's planned 1,000 doles to women.
Strategic Timing Amid Political Tensions
The DMK election machinery acted swiftly, especially in light of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's promise on January 17 to provide 2,000 to women if his party came to power. On Wednesday night, Stalin convened a select team including Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Chief Secretary N Muruganandam, Finance Secretary T Udhayachandran, and Chief Minister's Secretary-I P Umanath. According to a source, this was a meticulously planned operation: "The chief minister called a few people. He conveyed that a bigger bonanza should be transferred to the beneficiaries early in the morning; he would make a statement after that."
Overnight Efforts and Massive Transaction
The execution began early Thursday for senior officials in the information department, who were instructed to be on duty by 7 am. Meanwhile, finance department officials were alerted the previous night about transferring "a significant amount" to numerous accounts, leading to a sleepless night for many. In a single transaction, a colossal sum of 6,500 crore was credited to beneficiaries, with some receiving the funds at 7:47 am and the rest at 7:57 am. Many ministers were caught off guard, as the cabinet meeting on February 5 had not discussed this enhancement.
Coordinated Media and Social Media Blitz
An in-house video crew was present in the early hours of Thursday to record Stalin's five-minute video message, which the social media team posted at 7:46 am. In the video, Stalin greeted viewers with "Vanakkam" and announced, "This video is for a very important matter. This morning, 5,000 has been credited to your account on behalf of our government…" This coordinated effort ensured the news spread rapidly, reinforcing the government's commitment to women's welfare amidst the political landscape.
The initiative not only provided immediate financial relief but also positioned the DMK favorably ahead of potential electoral challenges, showcasing Stalin's strategic acumen in navigating legal and political hurdles.
