T.N. Assembly election: Seeman warns of increasing debt burden on the State

Naam Tamilar Katchi coordinator Seeman on Thursday came down heavily on the Dravidian parties for promising what he described as “freebies”and said fulfilling such assurances would require the State to incur an additional debt of ₹3 lakh crore, despite high existing liabilities.

Addressing an election campaign in Gobichettipalayam, he alleged that the DMK and the AIADMK had, over the past six decades, reduced people to “beneficiaries seeking assistance”. “They promise cash assistance and freebies, but do not explain the source of funds. Since questions are not asked, it continues,” he said.

Mr. Seeman said no government had ensured quality education, employment, or access to protected drinking water free of cost, and instead focused on monetary benefits. He criticised what he described as a narrative that “deceiving people was welfare” and that announcing freebies amounted to good governance.

He claimed meeting electoral promises would require ₹3 lakh crore, nearly equal to the State’s annual budget outlay, and questioned how governance would be sustained if a significant portion of revenue was spent on servicing debt.

He also contended while government employees were protesting for higher salaries and better benefits, the administration was focusing on privatisation of services, “except Tasmac”.

Questioning the ban on toddy, he said lifting it would affect the revenue generated through State-run liquor sales. He alleged that the government earned about ₹50,000 crore annually through TASMAC. “A palm tree has a life of 100 years, but is sold for ₹100 to brick kiln units as it is no longer in use,” he said, adding that the toddy market was worth ₹3 lakh crore.

The NTK leader said people continued to face hardships due to the policies of the two Dravidian parties as well as national parties such as the BJP and the Congress.

Taking a dig at former Minister and TVK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan in his home constituency, he questioned his record as a nine-time MLA and his shift in political alignment. “He does not accept leadership based on ideas or ideology, but follows film personalities,” Mr. Seeman said, recalling he was earlier supporting former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, but now he was with Mr Vijay.

At another campaign in Bhavanisagar, he alleged the state government had prioritised cash handouts over addressing the demands of protesting government employees. He claimed their demands could have been met at a cost of ₹150 crore, but ₹6,800 crore was spent on cash transfers of ₹5,000 per person. He also raised concerns over groundwater contamination in SIPCOT areas in Perundurai, saying residents were unable to access potable water.

Urging voters to view the election as an opportunity for change, he appealed to them not to accept money for votes. He further questioned whether people had received quality education, healthcare, uninterrupted power supply, or effective welfare schemes despite rising public debt.