Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 2 (ANI): Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko on Monday criticised the Central government over the 'disappointing' Union Budget 2026-27 and alleged 'discrimination against Tamil Nadu.'

The MDMK leader said the state's economic and industrial concerns have largely been ignored, with specific reference to the textile hubs of Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Karur, and Erode.

Speaking to ANI here, Vaiko said, 'That demand has not been accepted by the Union Govt. The Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday was disappointing; Tamil Nadu, in particular, has been discriminated against.'

MDMK leader's remarks come after Chief Minister MK Stalin took to X ahead of the Budget announcement to reiterate the State's major demands, including the release of Rs 3,858 crore in education funds allegedly withheld by the Union government and approval for the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro Rail projects.

Stalin had listed the demand of 'Rs 3,112 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission,' which he said that Tamil Nadu is implementing effectively, 'new railway projects, and a 50% share of the Centre's tax revenue for states, as recommended by the Finance Commission.'

While reacting to the budget, MDMK General Secretary questioned the government's growth projections, highlighting the rising fiscal burden.

'What they say is that we will reach 7 per cent growth - how is it possible when they are going to get loan to the amount of Rs 11.7 Hundred Crores. So, it is not possible at all. Textile industry, in particular Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Karur and Erode, have been totally neglected.'

However, Vaiko acknowledged one positive aspect of the Budget, saying, 'The only thing is that cancer patients have been given relief,' he said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had presented the Budget in Lok Sabha yesterday, marking her ninth consecutive term.

The Finance Minister announced the exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs and medicines. She also said that seven additional rare diseases would be added to the list of diseases eligible for exemption from import duty on personal imports of drugs, medicines, and food intended for special medical purposes.

The budget has proposed the establishment of dedicated rare earth corridors in India's coastal states - Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It also announced an exemption from basic customs duty on imports of capital goods required for processing critical minerals. (ANI)