TVK government completes 100 days, faces scrutiny on promises

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led coalition government in Tamil Nadu, headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has completed 100 days in office since May 10. The TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly with a 35% vote share, forming the first coalition government in the state since 1952 with the Congress, IUML, and VCK, while Left parties extended outside support. The Hindu reports the government has focused on administrative reform, fiscal consolidation, and welfare, but several prominent election promises remain unfulfilled due to fiscal constraints.

The government released a White Paper on June 16 flagging high debt and declining fiscal indicators, and constituted a Revenue Augmentation Committee headed by economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Its first Budget on August 5 targeted women, youth, and students but omitted promises such as raising the monthly rights grant to Rs 2,500 for women and six free LPG cylinders. The Hindu notes that key orders, including those on political advisers to the Chief Minister, remain unpublished, and there is no clear word on the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport.

The Thennewsminute reports the milestone as a major setback for the DMK, while the AIADMK failed to emerge as the principal opposition. It presents the 100 days as a moment to examine how the TVK government was formed and its political controversies. The Hindu adds that the government faces allegations of engineering defections from the AIADMK, scrutiny over a minister's alleged drug-use video, and complaints about power shortages and unauthorised inspections by party functionaries. Both matters are under investigation.