Chennai, April 16 (IANS) BJP leader A.N.S. Prasad on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the election manifesto unveiled by actor-politician Vijay, alleging that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had made “unrealistic and fiscally irresponsible” promises without presenting a credible roadmap for implementation.

In a statement, Prasad claimed that the welfare schemes proposed in the manifesto would require at least Rs 6 lakh crore, raising serious concerns over their viability at a time when Tamil Nadu’s debt is projected to cross Rs 10.71 lakh crore by 2026–27.

He cautioned that such large-scale commitments, if pursued without clear funding strategies, could significantly strain the state’s finances and impact future development expenditure.

The BJP leader criticised the manifesto for what he described as “populist giveaways”, including monthly financial assistance for women and youth, gold for brides, loan waivers, unemployment benefits and subsidised services.

He argued that while welfare measures are an integral part of governance, they must be aligned with fiscal prudence and sustainable revenue models to avoid long-term economic stress.

Prasad also drew parallels with the 2021 Assembly elections, targeting Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and the ruling DMK.

He alleged that several promises made during that campaign were not fully realised due to financial constraints, warning that a similar pattern could emerge if expansive assurances continue without adequate planning and budgetary discipline.

According to him, the TVK manifesto lacks a structured vision for key sectors such as agriculture, rural development, industrial growth and employment generation.

Instead, he said, it relies heavily on welfare-centric appeals aimed at attracting specific voter segments, particularly women and youth, without outlining measurable outcomes.

Positioning the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a viable alternative, the BJP said a “double-engine government” led by AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, with the backing of PM Modi, would prioritise fiscal discipline, infrastructure growth and inclusive development.

The remarks come amid intensifying campaign activity ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with political parties increasingly focusing on manifesto promises to shape voter perception.

TVK has not yet responded to the BJP’s criticism.

–IANS

aal/pgh