"Bigger pie, smaller slice for Tamil Nadu": Congress' Manickam Tagore flags 'decline' in central funds

New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI): Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Saturday flagged a 'decline' in Tamil Nadu's percentage share from the divisible tax pool of Central funds, despite the state getting overall more money than before.
Giving the percentage of funds allocated from the Union budget, Tagore said that during 2004-2014, under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Tamil Nadu received 5 per cent of the Union budget's pool, whereas from 2014-2025, the state received only around 4.08 per cent.
This is despite the fact that Tamil Nadu received more money after 2014, which Tagore attributed to growth in budget size, increasing inflation, and expanding tax collections.
"Union Budget & Tamil Nadu: Manmohan Singh vs Modi -- A Percentage Reality Check. The Union Budget is always shown as big numbers. But the real question is simple, out of 100%, how much did Tamil Nadu actually get?" Tagore posted on X.
"The divisible tax pool (shared with states) can be compared fairly. This is decided by the Finance Commission. So we compare percentage share, not absolute rupees. Manmohan Singh era, based on the 13th Finance Commission formula Tamil Nadu's share of the divisible tax pool," Tagore added.
Dismissing claims of "record allocations" to the state, Tagore pointed out that Tamil Nadu has gotten a "smaller slice from a bigger pie".
"Why percentages matter. Percentages show fairness. Absolute numbers show optics. If Tamil Nadu's share drops from ~5% to ~4%, that is systemic disadvantage, not generosity," Tagore claimed.
He also lambasted PM Modi for allegedly staying silent on "falling percentage share", "reduced fiscal justice", and calling it "discrimination masked as development."
"Final question. When will Modi stop hiding behind big numbers, stop rewriting arithmetic, and accept the discrimination towards Tamil Nadu? Facts don't lie. Percentages expose the lie," he said.
Tagore's comments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, shared photographs of the massive gathering at his rally in Madhuranthakam, stating that the people's mood shows they want the NDA.
"The mood at the NDA rally in Madhuranthakam gives a glimpse of what Tamil Nadu is thinking... Enough of DMK and their loot. The people want NDA!," PM Modi said in a post on X.
PM Modi, during his rally, hit out at the ruling DMK-led alliance in the poll-bound Tamil Nadu, saying the countdown for its exit has begun and a BJP-NDA government will be formed in the state. (ANI)