Union Budget announcements like high-speed rail link kickstarts debate in TN on benefits to state

CHENNAI: (Feb 2) While the ruling DMK has claimed often to be sitting pretty ahead of the Assembly polls due by April, the Union Budget presented on February 1, which has initiatives like high speed rail to links for Chennai, has served as more fodder to the state's governing party to target the BJP-led Centre.

However, the BJP has sought to turn the tables saying this year's budget provides massive economic assistance to Tamil Nadu in various sectors, including production, self-reliance, rare earth minerals, infrastructure, tourism, electronics, automobile industry, healthcare, transport, defence, ports, textiles.

BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy accused the DMK of spreading false narratives that the saffron party-led central government has ignored Tamil Nadu. The Centre has delivered an excellent budget that expands infrastructure, accelerates industrial progress, creates jobs, and increases individual income.