TAMIL NADU
Ujagar
Singh, former IAS officer, TN Cadre who had contested in the 2016 assembly
polls presents a comprehensive view of Tamil Nadu in the Times of India of
February 25, 2026.
Water
is perhaps TN’s most urgent issue. Per capita water availability is less than
half the national average. Reservoir levels swing sharply between monsoons.
Groundwater continues to fall. Tanker lines are a routine sight in cities. Yet,
water rarely dominates election speeches the way identity issues do.
Identity
issues may be elaborated as, one, DMK in govt. is sharpening its federal rights
and social justice pitch., two, AIDMK is trying to rebuild its organization and
three, BJP is looking to expand its footprints in a state it has always
struggled. In addition smaller parties position themselves around identity,
language and regional pride.
There
is an important dimension added by the Supreme Court. The honorable court has noted
that governments cannot rely indefinitely on freebies neglecting creation of
sustainable employment. Though it was not directed at any one state, it
resonated strongly in TN where welfare schemes have long been central to
politics.
People
across TN discuss on water, jobs, exam pressures, rising costs and uncertain
incomes. Voter behavior is impacted by access to water, stable prices and constantly
worrying support systems. . Nearly 56% of TN still depends on agriculture and allied
activities. But the sector has struggled with erratic rainfalls, soil
degradation and rising input costs.
TN
contributes roughly 11-12 of India’s manufacturing output and is among the country’s
most industrialized states. But parts of its industrial ecosystem are under
pressure. Closure of large units in recent years has affected supply chains. The
Sterlite plant used to produce nearly 4 lakh tones a year, about 35-40% of
India’s copper output. Since Sterlite’s shut down in 2018, India has turned into
a net importer of Copper. For thousands of small manufacturers of motors,
pumps, grinders and compressors in Coimbatore, higher copper prices have raised
costs.
The
textile and garment industry which employs 20 lakh people across spinning,
weaving and apparel units is faced with rising cotton and power costs. More
than 300 textile mills have shut operations in the last five years. Export
oriented clusters like Tirupur have seen orders fluctuate with global demand,
forcing some units to cut shifts or delay hiring. (No wonder, neighboring Kerala’s hotels, textile shops, many industrial units and labor force are
populated by employees belonging to TN)
The
auto & auto components sector, a backbone of the state economy, is also
navigating a transition as the shift towards EVs has created uncertainty for
component manufacturers who depend on traditional engine parts.
Taken
together these pressures cut across the economy. There are longstanding legacy
issues for a sustainable balance between development and environmental
protection that are to be addressed by the government. For many in TN’s
industrial belts, concern is the stability of their next pay cheque.
The
NEET debate remains deeply emotional here. TN has always argued that the system
favours the affluent and students from CBSE schools.
Sri
Lanka continues to arrest fishermen near Katchatheevu Island. Each arrest
disrupts incomes and creates anxiety. For the fisher folk the issue is not
geopolitical but one of livelihood.
The
issues highlighted crave for resolution.
It
is high time the parties In Tamil Nadu, shift the conversation from symbolism
to solutions for the all round betterment of the people.
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