DMK and Allies Stage Statewide Protests Over LPG Shortage in Tamil Nadu
The DMK and its coalition partners organized coordinated protests across Tamil Nadu on Sunday, sharply criticizing the BJP-led Union government for the ongoing shortage of LPG cylinders. The demonstrations, held in multiple cities including Chennai and Trichy, accused the central administration of failing to ensure uninterrupted supply, linking the crisis directly to India's foreign policy stance.
Chief Minister Stalin Blames 'Failed Foreign Policy'
Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a direct attack on the Union government, stating that the LPG shortage resulted from what he called the "failed foreign policy" of the BJP administration. In a detailed post on social media platform X, Stalin elaborated that flawed decisions by the BJP government, which he described as a "failure model" in foreign policy, had created severe supply disruptions.
"The lack of foresight and precautionary measures has left people suffering," Stalin declared, emphasizing that hundreds of deaths in the Iran-Israel conflict were consequences of the Union government's support for the war. He specifically referenced the intensifying tensions in the Middle East, including recent statements from Iran threatening oil infrastructure and former US President Donald Trump's call for warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Minister-Led Demonstrations Across Districts
In Trichy, two separate protests were organized by senior DMK ministers. Municipal Administration Minister K N Nehru and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi led the demonstrations, with Poyyamozhi making pointed remarks about pending financial dues.
"The Union government owes my department ₹3,458 crore," Poyyamozhi stated during the protest in Ponmalai. "Just as they kept us waiting, we must ensure BJP is placed on the 'waiting list' in the upcoming election."
Other prominent leaders spearheaded agitations in various districts:
- Natural Resources Minister S Regupathy in Pudukottai
- Former Minister V Senthilbalaji in Karur
- MDMK General Secretary Vaiko
- VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan
- Tamil Nadu Congress Committee Chief K Selvaperunthagai
- CPI State Secretary M Veerapandian
- CPM State Secretary P Shanmugam
- DMDK Treasurer L K Sudhish
Political Implications and Alternative Measures
The protests featured strong slogans against the NDA government, with DMK leaders questioning the commitment of alliance parties to public welfare. Minister Poyyamozhi challenged NDA partners, saying "If NDA alliance parties truly cared about the people, they would take the initiative to resolve the issue."
Chief Minister Stalin revealed that his administration had already convened emergency meetings and was working on alternative arrangements to alleviate the hardship faced by citizens. The statewide demonstrations highlighted growing political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK framing the LPG shortage as both a governance failure and a consequence of international policy decisions affecting domestic supplies.
