Fake pride and relentless propaganda seem to be the only priorities for the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. They continue to paint a rosy picture while the state’s economic fundamentals weaken. Sadly, this is the fate Tamil Nadu finds itself in today, where reality is sacrificed at the altar of political narrative.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin proudly echoes these exaggerated claims, and soon the entire Dravidian ecosystem jumps in to amplify the same message a coordinated campaign of self-praise that conveniently ignores facts and nuance.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, in a post on 22 July 2025, claimed that under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s leadership, Tamil Nadu has made remarkable strides in sectors like industry, education, infrastructure, and welfare. He cited a sharp increase in per capita income from ₹1.43 lakh in 2020–21 to ₹1.96 lakh in 2024–25 claiming an average growth of 8.15% under the DMK government, compared to 4.42% under the previous AIADMK regime.
மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் அவர்களின் தலைமையில், தொழில்துறை, கல்வி, உட்கட்டமைப்பு மற்றும் சமூக நலனில் மாபெரும் சாதனைகளைப் படைத்து நாட்டிற்கே முன்னோடியாகத் திகழ்கிறது, தமிழ்நாடு. அந்தச் சாதனை பட்டியலில் மற்றுமொன்றாக, தமிழ்நாடு ரூ.1,96,309 என்ற தனிநபர் வருமான… pic.twitter.com/yPDMFVpHrG
— Thangam Thenarasu (@TThenarasu) July 22, 2025
CM Stalin echoed the sentiment, posting, “We have surpassed the national average! We have doubled the growth of the previous AIADMK regime! We will rise to become India’s No.1 state under #DravidianModel 2.0!”
தேசிய சராசரியை விஞ்சினோம்!
கடந்த அ.தி.மு.க. ஆட்சியின் வளர்ச்சியைக் காட்டிலும் இருமடங்கு மிஞ்சினோம்!
அடுத்து வரவுள்ள #DravidianModel 2.0-இல் முதல் மாநிலமாக உயருவோம்! https://t.co/A5l9xs22X5
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 23, 2025
However, analysts and critics argue that these claims are misleading and overstate the DMK’s contribution. They point out that the economic growth lauded by the DMK is not solely the result of its governance. A closer examination of the Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) growth at constant 2011–12 prices reveals a more nuanced picture.
NSDP Growth Trends – A Broader Perspective:
| Year | NSDP Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| 2016–17 | 6.92% |
| 2017–18 | 8.48% |
| 2018–19 | 7.13% |
| 2019–20 | 2.59% |
| 2020–21 | -0.48% (COVID impact) |
| 2021–22 | 7.91% |
| 2022–23 | 8.31% |
| 2023–24 | 8.21% |
[Data Inputs: Statistics Times]
The AIADMK-era average (2016–17 to 2018–19) was 7.51%, and the economic dip in 2019–20 and 2020–21 was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is worth noting that the post-COVID recovery (2021–2024), which the DMK is celebrating, was bolstered significantly by Central Government relief measures and national economic recovery policies.
Even if we exclude the COVID-hit years for fair comparison, the average under AIADMK (2016–2019) was 7.51%, while under the DMK (2021–2024) it stands at 8.14%. The marginal difference of 0.63 percentage points is far from the “doubling” claimed by the DMK. This comparison has been made under normal economic conditions by focusing on the first three years of each government. The intent is to expose the false propaganda, as the AIADMK’s five-year term included two years severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, comparing the first three unaffected years of AIADMK with the initial three years of the DMK provides a fair and accurate assessment.
Comparative Fiscal Management: DMK vs Other States
Critics also argue that Tamil Nadu’s financial health under the DMK raises concerns. When comparing the debt-to-GSDP ratio, Tamil Nadu fares worse than many BJP-ruled states:
Debt-to-GSDP Ratio:
- Tamil Nadu (DMK): 31.4% (as per Reserve Bank of India, State Finances Report 2022-23)
- Tamil Nadu (AIADMK): 28.0%
- Uttar Pradesh (BJP): 28.0%
- Madhya Pradesh (BJP): 25.0%
- Gujarat (BJP): 23.0%
- Maharashtra (BJP+): 20.0%
This indicates that Tamil Nadu’s debt burden has worsened under the DMK, reaching the highest level among the states compared.
Fiscal Health Index:
- Odisha (BJD): 67.8% (maintains low fiscal deficits, a strong debt profile, and a high Capital Outlay/GSDP ratio)
- Gujarat (BJP): 50.5%
- Maharashtra (BJP+): 50.3%
- Uttar Pradesh (BJP): 45.9%
- Madhya Pradesh (BJP): 42.2%
- Tamil Nadu (DMK): 29.2%
According to NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025, Tamil Nadu ranked 11 and has received a score of 29.2 a figure that reflects troubling signs regarding the state’s financial stability. In comparison to other states, this low score points to persistent revenue deficits and highlights the urgent need for more responsible and efficient fiscal management.
Total State Debt:
Tamil Nadu’s total debt has now reached ₹8.34 lakh crore, according to NITI Aayog data.
In conclusion, while the DMK continues to promote the “Dravidian Model” as a success story, a deeper look into the data suggests that much of the recent economic growth aligns with broader national trends and pandemic recovery measures. Selective comparisons and exaggerated claims risk turning governance into a publicity exercise rather than evidence-based policymaking.
For a more meaningful evaluation, Tamil Nadu’s financial health and performance under the DMK should be compared transparently with other major Indian states, especially those with better fiscal discipline and debt management.
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