BJP Tamil Nadu Chief K. Annamalai has criticized Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) head Vijay over his recent remarks regarding the Union Budget. Annamalai accused Vijay of misunderstanding the framework of financial policies following Vijay’s claims that Tamil Nadu was disregarded in the budget and lamenting the absence of any proposed GST reductions.
In a pointed rebuttal, Annamalai clarified that decisions regarding GST revisions are made by the GST Council, not dictated by the Union Budget. He urged Vijay to differentiate between a GST Council meeting and the Budget, emphasizing the necessity of proper advisory support for accurate comprehension. “Brother, that comes under the GST Council meeting, and this is the Budget,” Annamalai commented.
He further questioned Vijay’s credibility, asserting that political leaders devoid of fundamental governance knowledge cannot effectively advocate for change in Tamil Nadu. “Why would GST reduction be mentioned in the Budget?” Annamalai challenged, dismissing Vijay’s concerns as misinformed.
In defense of his position, Vijay acknowledged positive aspects of the budget, such as the income tax exemption for incomes up to Rs 12 lakh per annum under the new tax regime. He lamented, however, the lack of attention to Tamil Nadu’s needs, particularly with no announcements regarding petrol and diesel tax reductions, which he believes could support struggling citizens.
Vijay expressed appreciation for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s initiative to assist 5 lakh women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes in becoming first-time entrepreneurs with term loans of up to Rs 2 crore. However, he also voiced disappointment regarding insufficient measures to address inflation and boost employment opportunities, emphasizing that the budget should reflect equitable development across all states, rather than showing bias.
