The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has renamed the free bus travel scheme for women, dropping the term 'Vidiyal' (meaning dawn) that was introduced by the previous DMK administration. The scheme is now called 'Mugam' (meaning face), a move that has triggered sharp criticism from the opposition DMK.
DMK accuses TVK of political symbolism
The DMK accused the government of indulging in political symbolism instead of focusing on governance. Party spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan said, "Renaming a welfare scheme that benefits lakhs of women is a wasteful exercise. The government should instead ensure that buses run on time and that women feel safe while traveling."
The scheme, originally launched by the DMK in 2023, provided free bus travel for women across the state. It was widely seen as a populist measure aimed at winning women voters. According to government data, over 1.5 crore women availed the facility every month under the DMK regime.
TVK defends the change
Defending the decision, TVK spokesperson V. P. Duraisamy said, "The name 'Mugam' reflects the dignity and identity of women. We are not scrapping the scheme; we are only giving it a new name that aligns with our vision." He added that the government would continue to bear the cost of the scheme, which amounts to approximately ₹1,200 crore annually.
However, critics argue that the renaming is a needless exercise that wastes administrative resources. The DMK has also questioned the timing of the change, noting that it comes just months before local body elections.
Impact on women commuters
Women commuters in Chennai and other districts expressed mixed reactions. Some said the name change does not affect the service, while others felt it was an unnecessary political move. "As long as I can travel for free, I don't care what it's called," said R. Priya, a college student from Tambaram.
But political analyst N. Sathiya Moorthy said the controversy could hurt the TVK government's image among women voters. "The DMK had built a brand around 'Vidiyal' as a symbol of women's empowerment. Changing it now gives the DMK a chance to portray the TVK as anti-women," he said.
