SOCIAL SCHEMES TAKE WINGS, HOPES ABOUND

Results of the Lok Sabha election on June 4 can be a referendum on the performance of the state government in the last 3 years

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THE DMK government completes three years amid the long limbo between the state going to the polls for the Lok Sabha elections on April 19 and results on June 4, with the model code of conduct still in force. For the DMK, the parliamentary elections act as an interim referendum on its governance ahead of the Assembly elections in 2026. The results will allow the party to gauge the veracity of the allegations of anti-incumbency flung against it during the recent poll campaign and course correct as needed. For its part, the DMK's campaign relied on positioning itself in ideological opposition to the BJP while touting its flagship schemes.

The impact of the schemes the DMK has rolled out over the past three years cannot be ignored, even by its detractors, and this is what the party hopes to have held it in good stead at the hustings.

Investing in women

After MK Stalin assumed office as chief minister on May 7, 2021, among the first announcements was of the 'Vidiyal Payanam' scheme, offering free travel to women in government buses, which was extended to trans persons as well. Studies done by the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission and the Consumer and Civic Action Group show that women have been able to save between ₹400 and 1,000 a month, which they are able to use for health or education-related expenses.