With Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections fast approaching, CM MK Stalin’s administration is set to roll out significant women-focused announcements in the interim budget for 2026-27. A high-level cabinet meeting under Stalin’s chairmanship on February 5 will finalize the proposals, fueling expectations of voter-friendly measures.
Scheduled for the second week of February, this budget session doubles as the swan song for the current Assembly term. True to convention ahead of polls, only a stopgap budget will be presented, with the new government handling the detailed version later.
Spotlight falls on amplifying the popular ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam’ – the cash transfer scheme for women household heads. Informed sources suggest hikes in monthly assistance, expanded coverage, and perhaps novel incentives to galvanize women supporters.
Public sentiment captured via the ‘Ungal Kanavu Solunga’ survey is likely to steer these decisions. The initiative, spanning the entire state, canvassed opinions on welfare demands and growth aspirations, promising a tailored policy response.
DMK confronts a crowded field: the resurgent AIADMK-BJP combine and Vijay’s TVK are gearing up for a showdown. Analysts argue that prioritizing women’s issues could be DMK’s masterstroke, leveraging schemes that have built loyalty among key demographics.
Beyond the immediate electoral gains, these steps signal continuity in social welfare commitments. As debates heat up in the Assembly, the interim budget’s content will reveal the government’s priorities and its confidence in navigating the polls successfully.