Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy on Friday, 7 August launched a sharp attack on the state government's budget, calling it 'visionless' and warning that the state's debt burden — which he said has doubled over the past five years — could rise by a further 50 per cent without a credible revenue strategy. Separately, Thirupathy affirmed that Tamil Nadu's entitlements in the Cauvery water dispute remain fully protected under a Supreme Court judgment, and welcomed Chief Minister Vijay's decision to convene an all-party meeting on the issue.

Budget Criticisms: Debt, Agriculture, and Infrastructure

Thirupathy argued that the Tamil Nadu government has no roadmap to service its growing liabilities or build productive public assets. 'See, that is true because in the five years, the debt burden has doubled. But what is the roadmap for you to clear that debt burden? What is it that you have done to create assets? Nothing, zero. There is no vision in this budget,' he said.

He was equally dismissive of the agriculture and infrastructure allocations presented across the recent budget sessions, describing them as 'very immature and impractical.' On capital expenditure, he flagged that ₹8,000 crore had been earmarked for the Ennore thermal expansion — a proposal he questioned in the context of the state's broader fiscal constraints.

'You are going to increase the burden still more, at least another 50 per cent more, because you have no clue at all how to get revenue for the government,' Thirupathy added.

Cauvery Dispute: BJP's Position on Legal Protections and Mekedatu

On the long-running Cauvery water dispute, Thirupathy sought to reassure Tamil Nadu stakeholders that existing legal frameworks are robust. 'Everything is fully protected, and everything is through a Supreme Court judgment. The Cauvery Water Management Authority is in place. So, absolutely Tamil Nadu is fully protected by law,' he said.

On the proposed Mekedatu dam by Karnataka, the BJP spokesperson was unequivocal: 'If the dam is built, it will affect Tamil Nadu. It should not be built; this is our stand.' He added that the Cauvery Water Management Authority's own committee meetings would reflect the same position, and noted that even Karnataka cannot unilaterally stop Tamil Nadu's court-mandated share.

All-Party Meeting: BJP Welcomes the Move

Thirupathy backed Chief Minister Vijay's initiative to call an all-party meeting of Tamil Nadu's parliamentary representatives on the Cauvery issue. 'There is nothing wrong in it. It is a welcome sign only. A chief minister calling his parliament members… all parliament members of Tamil Nadu should participate. There is nothing wrong in deliberating,' he said.

He noted that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had also stated that Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water must not be reduced — a position the BJP has consistently held. Thirupathy pointed to a precedent set by Karnataka, which had earlier convened a similar all-party meeting attended by party leaders, Members of Parliament, and former chief ministers, arguing there was no reason Tamil Nadu should not do the same.

What Comes Next

The BJP's critique adds political pressure on the Tamil Nadu government ahead of any formal legislative debate on the budget. On the Cauvery front, the all-party meeting — if it proceeds with broad participation — could consolidate the state's negotiating position before the next round of Cauvery Water Management Authority deliberations. Whether the ruling dispensation responds to the BJP's fiscal challenge or dismisses it as opposition posturing will shape the next phase of the budget discourse in Chennai.