The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has become a contentious issue between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu. The two political parties are at odds over the allocation of funds for the scheme, with the DMK accusing the BJP-led central government of withholding funds meant for the state. The MGNREGS is a flagship social security scheme that guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The DMK has alleged that the BJP government has not released the full amount of funds owed to Tamil Nadu under the scheme, which has resulted in delays in wage payments to workers. The BJP, on the other hand, has defended its actions, stating that the funds were released as per the prescribed norms and that there have been no delays in payments. The disagreement between the two parties has escalated into a political feud, with both sides trading barbs over the issue. The MGNREGS has been a lifeline for many rural households in Tamil Nadu, providing them with much-needed employment and income security. The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching implications for the welfare of vulnerable populations in the state.