
Four years of Stalin's rule: Achievements & failures of the Dravidian Model govt
The discussion covers important welfare initiatives such as free bus travel for women, education support schemes like Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan, and the doorstep healthcare program Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam. It also highlights improvements in the state's economy and Tamil Nadu's strong stance on federal autonomy.
On the other hand, the episode examines ongoing challenges, including concerns about law and order, the unresolved NEET exemption issue, the government's handling of ministers facing legal scrutiny, and caste-based violence incidents.
With Assembly elections approaching in less than a year, this is a timely and balanced review of the DMK government's performance so far.
Script & Presentation: D. Suresh Kumar
Video: Thamodharan V.
Editing: Zeeshan Akhtar
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