Union Budget Face-Off: Nirmala Rejects Stalin-DMK’s ‘Zero For TN’ Charge

A sharp political confrontation has erupted in Parliament over Tamil Nadu’s share in the Union Budget 2026–27. The DMK escalated the debate in the Rajya Sabha, with MP P. Wilson alleging systematic neglect of a major economic contributor, citing lower railway funding, stalled metro projects and reduced tax devolution. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly rejected the charges, calling them politically driven and factually incorrect, and highlighted several budget measures benefiting Tamil Nadu, including the Rare Earth Corridor and welfare schemes. The row follows Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s public criticism of the Budget and comes as the state heads toward Assembly elections, turning fiscal arguments into a high-stakes political narrative battle.