ADMK MLAs stage mock invite protest ahead of Tamil Nadu budget

Legislators of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a protest at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday, criticising the forthcoming State Budget as an “ear-piercing ceremony” and distributing mock invitations to highlight their charge.
The Budget session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly is usually held in late February or early March.
With Assembly elections scheduled this year, the government is expected to table an interim Budget.
The AIADMK members alleged that successive Budgets under the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had made repeated announcements without tangible benefits reaching the public.
As part of the protest, the opposition MLAs circulated a satirical invitation describing the Budget as a “grand ear-piercing ceremony” conducted in the name of the people of Tamil Nadu.
The printed note mentioned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as the chief guest for the event and Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu as the one who would perform the “ear piercing”, drawing sharp political reactions inside the Assembly
premises. The protest comes amid expectations that the interim Budget may announce fresh welfare measures aimed at women, farmers, youth and small traders in the run-up to the polls.