Tamil Nadu’s political landscape is heating up as the Stalin government prepares a women-centric interim budget just before the 2026 Assembly elections. On February 5, CM Stalin will preside over a cabinet session to approve the 2026-27 fiscal blueprint, with leaks pointing to substantial giveaways.
The February mid-month Assembly sitting will be the last for the 16th term, limited to interim allocations per longstanding practice. This allows the focus to shift squarely to electioneering, with the victor unveiling the main budget.
Central to the strategy is supercharging the ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam’ scheme, offering direct cash to female family heads. Anticipation builds around raised stipends, inclusive eligibility tweaks, and add-on benefits to court the female vote bank.
Influencing factors include responses from the ambitious ‘Ungal Kanavu Solunga’ portal and surveys, which tapped into grassroots desires on welfare, governance, and development. This data-driven approach aims to align announcements with public pulse.
DMK’s path to victory is thornier this time, pitted against the AIADMK-BJP juggernaut and TVK’s fresh appeal under Vijay. Pundits see women empowerment pledges as a savvy play, building on proven successes to counter opposition narratives.
The budget’s rollout could redefine campaign dynamics, offering DMK a narrative of proactive welfare. Observers await how these promises stack up against rivals’ agendas, in what promises to be Tamil Nadu’s most contested polls in years.