A new round of friction has emerged within the Congress–DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu after a senior Congress leader’s remarks on the state’s debt levels triggered a sharp response from the DMK. The public disagreement comes at a sensitive time, with Assembly elections due next year.
The controversy began when Praveen Chakravarty, a Congress functionary, posted on social media describing Tamil Nadu’s debt situation as “alarming.” His comments were made in response to claims by Kanimozhi that the state had continued to grow under DMK governance despite rising debt.
Chakravarty drew a comparison with Uttar Pradesh, noting that while UP’s debt was more than double that of Tamil Nadu in 2010, the situation has since reversed. He also pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s interest burden is among the highest in the country and that its debt-to-GDP ratio remains well above pre-pandemic levels.
DMK Pushes Back Strongly
The DMK responded swiftly and firmly. Party spokesperson Salem Dharanidharan rejected the Congress leader’s assessment, stating that Tamil Nadu remains one of India’s strongest-performing states economically. He highlighted the state’s sharp rise in per capita GDP, arguing that it far outpaces Uttar Pradesh and exceeds the national average — a key indicator of improved living standards.
Former DMK MP Dr S Senthil Kumar questioned the intent behind Chakravarty’s remarks, suggesting that political calculations may be at play. He alleged that certain Congress leaders could be exploring alternative political alignments and acting under internal party pressures.
Congress Attempts to Contain the Fallout
Within the Congress, there were efforts to limit the damage caused by the remarks. MP Jothimani said comparing Tamil Nadu with Uttar Pradesh was inappropriate, stressing that Tamil Nadu is significantly ahead in infrastructure, social development, and economic indicators. She reaffirmed that the state should not be placed on the same footing as UP when assessing performance.
BJP Capitalises on Alliance Rift
The Bharatiya Janata Party seized on the disagreement, calling Chakravarty’s statement a “self-inflicted blow” for the Congress. BJP leaders said the episode exposed underlying cracks within the Congress–DMK partnership and raised questions about unity and coordination within the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu.
Alliance Under Scrutiny
While the spat does not immediately signal a breakdown of the alliance, the public nature of the exchange has brought renewed focus on internal differences between the two parties. As election season approaches, political observers say messaging discipline and coordination within the alliance will be closely watched.
For now, the debt debate has added an unexpected layer of tension to Tamil Nadu’s political landscape — and handed rival parties fresh ammunition in the run-up to crucial electoral battles.
