NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin’s announcement that Rs 5,000 each had been credited to 1.31 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme on Friday has triggered sharp criticism from the BJP and other opposition parties, who termed the move politically motivated ahead of the assembly election.Stalin said the amount was deposited in advance to counter attempts to stall the scheme. “You would have received Rs 5,000 this morning. I have decided to provide the sum in view of an attempt (by vested interests) to freeze the scheme citing upcoming elections,” he said.“As an advance for the months of February, March, and April – Rs 3,000, along with a summer special package of Rs 2,000! A total of Rs 5,000 has been credited this morning to all 1.31 crore beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme,” he added on X.Reacting strongly, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticised Stalin for blaming the Centre and alleged the decision was driven by electoral anxiety. In a post on X, she said the chief minister had a “habit of blaming Central Government for all his failures” and added that “Tamil Nadu CM announcing this because of the election fear and fever.. @arivalayam is not confident of winning because of the high anti-incumbency prevailing in Tamil Nadu. ”She also credited the Centre’s initiatives for enabling direct transfers, saying the state government should “compliment and thank our Honorable @PMOIndia who initiated #jandhan accounts and #digital India” and added that “Honorable @narendramodi jis #Mudhra loans has benefited more than 1 crore women in Tamilnadu which has made them entrepreneurs and self reliant women.”BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy also attacked the announcement, saying, “… Luring the women, luring the public by giving Rs 5 thousand. If MK Stalin thinks that he can lure the public, I think he is mistaken. Tamil people are not fools. Tamil people still remember that Stalin’s government, the DMK government, has done injustice to the people of Tamil Nadu. They have deteriorated law and order in the last five years, and the crimes against women, particularly crimes against girl children in schools, will not be forgotten. Even if they give Rs 50 thousand, the people will not vote for DMK… It was a dictatorial government in Tamil Nadu that was going on for five years…”Responding to the criticism, Stalin defended the scheme as a commitment to women. “For the women of Tamil Nadu, this Women’s Rights Grant is the promise given by Stalin. No matter who tries to create obstacles, I will not step back from it,” he said.“Further, the monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 will be increased to Rs 2,000 once the DMK returns to power this year,” Stalin said. “I appeal to the sisters to judiciously utilise the amount for the expenses towards the education needs of your children, buying medicine or other essentials that are required.”Meanwhile, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay also questioned CM Stalin over the announcement of a Rs 2,000 “summer special package” along with the advance credit under Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme, alleging the decision was prompted by rising support for his party among women, which he claimed has created fear among the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).In a post on X, TVK chief Vijay asked why the grant, usually credited on the 15th of every month, was announced and deposited on the 13th, and why a “summer special package” was introduced suddenly.”How was it suddenly announced that the new summer special package is Rs 2000? Is summer coming only this year or what? The women’s rights amount, which is usually credited on the 15th of every month, why is it being credited and announced specifically today, on the 13th?” he asked.Vijay further alleged that the real reason behind the announcement was the growing public response to his party, particularly among women. Referring to the party’s whistle symbol, Vijay claimed that the “wave of applause” and support from women had created fear within the ruling DMK.DMK leader TKS Elangovan also hit back at the BJP, saying, “BJP is ‘anti-Tamilians,’ trying to block women welfare scheme in Tamil Nadu,” accusing the party of attempting to derail a welfare initiative.Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran accused the DMK of “deceiving” people with false promises and failing to fulfil assurances made in 2021, as the political sparring over the women’s entitlement scheme intensified ahead of the polls. Go to Source
