Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has repeatedly alleged that the Centre favours BJP-ruled states in fund allocation and shortchanges Tamil Nadu. He has also challenged Union minister Piyush Goyal to publicly compare how much each state receives back for every rupee it contributes.
However, Finance Commission devolution shares—available in the public domain—show Tamil Nadu’s percentage share has declined over successive commissions: 7.931% (9th), 6.637% (10th), 5.385% (11th), 5.305% (12th), 4.696% (13th), 4.023% (14th) and about 4.079% for 2021–2026. The report says Tamil Nadu has been allotted Rs 87,000 crore for the 2026–27 financial year.
The report notes that Uttar Pradesh, a BJP-ruled but relatively backward state, receives a much larger share—about 17.6%—compared with Tamil Nadu’s roughly 4.09%. It argues that a similar pattern existed during the UPA period as well: in 2013–14, Tamil Nadu received Rs 27,600 crore while Uttar Pradesh received Rs 94,500 crore, translating to about 4.9% versus 19.6%.
Citing population-based calculations and the objective of supporting less-developed states, the report points to West Bengal—ruled by the BJP’s political opponent—as receiving one of the highest shares (around 7.22%). It also highlights that Gujarat, a BJP-ruled state, is allotted a lower share (about 3.76%) than Tamil Nadu (about 4.10%), arguing this undercuts claims of partisan bias in devolution.
