Chennai, Feb. 13 -- With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections nearing, a Rs 5,000 cash transfer to 1.31 crore women under the Kalaignar Women's Rights Scheme has triggered a sharp political row. The Opposition has accused the ruling DMK of acting out of "fear of election defeat" and "desperation", while Chief Minister MK Stalin and his party have defended the move as part of the Dravidian Model.

The controversy began after Stalin announced that Rs 3,000 had been credited in advance for February, March and April, along with an additional Rs 2,000 as a "summer special package". The total of Rs 5,000 was deposited into the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women across the state.

The timing of the announcement, ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls...