How CM MK Stalin executed Rs 5,000 bonanza for 1.31 crore TN women; secrecy was the key to success of operation

CHENNAI: Early on Friday morning, when ₹5,000 was credited to the accounts of 1.31 crore women in Tamil Nadu, the beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam gasped in joy. The opposition was stunned. Chief minister M K Stalin, having carried out a coup, smirked.

Twelve days ago, Supreme Court, hearing a petition from a BJP functionary, had said it is ready to examine the practice of political parties announcing freebies ahead of elections. That meant the ₹1,000 govt doles to women could be stopped. The DMK election machinery was quick to read this, especially since AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami had promised, on Jan 17, ₹2,000 for women if his party came to power.





On Wednesday night, Stalin assembled a select team that included finance minister Thangam Thennarasu, chief secretary N Muruganandam, finance secretary T Udhayachandran and chief minister's secretary-I P Umanath.

"It was a "surgical strike", the source said. "The chief minister called a few people. He conveyed that a bigger bonanza should be transferred to the beneficiaries early in the morning; he would make a statement after that."

The morning started early on Thursday for a few senior officials in the information department who were asked to be on duty at 7am. The previous night, some finance department officials were told "a significant amount" will have to be transferred to a multitude of accounts". They didn't sleep. A sum of ₹6,500 crore was credited to beneficiaries in a single transaction. Some beneficiaries received it at 7.47 am, the rest at 7.57 am.

Many of the ministers were taken by surprise as the cabinet meeting on Feb 5 had not discussed the matter. In attendance in the wee hours of Thursday was an in-house video crew, to record Stalin's five-minute video message which the social media team was to post at 7.46 am.

"Vanakkam," said Stalin, "This video is for a very important matter. This morning, ₹5,000 has been credited to your account on behalf of our govt ..."