What Happened to ₹100 LPG Gas? Vijay Tears Into DMK At TVK Event In Trichy

The simmering anger over the LPG crisis in Tamil Nadu has now burst into the political mainstream, with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay launching a blistering attack on the ruling DMK and the Centre, accusing both of failing ordinary citizens and small businesses.

Addressing a charged public gathering, Vijay painted a grim picture of the ground reality. Tea shops and small hotels, he said, are being forced to shut down due to an acute shortage of LPG cylinders, pushing livelihoods to the brink. The crisis, he argued, was not inevitable but the result of administrative failure at multiple levels.

"If the Union government had been even slightly precautionary, this situation could have been controlled. At the very least, the state government should have acted to manage the crisis locally," he said, squarely blaming both administrations for what he described as a preventable disaster.

Turning his fire towards Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Vijay accused him of evading responsibility. In a sharply worded remark, he said Stalin would claim to have no connection to the issue when questioned. "If there is a raid at his house, he will fly to Delhi. He should have at least flown to Delhi for this gas issue," Vijay quipped, drawing loud reactions from the crowd.

But the criticism did not stop at the ongoing LPG shortage. Vijay broadened his attack to include what he called a pattern of unfulfilled promises made by the DMK during the 2021 Assembly elections. He reminded the audience that the party had pledged a ₹100 subsidy per LPG cylinder as part of its expansive manifesto released on March 13, 2021, which contained over 500 promises.

"What happened to the ₹100 LPG subsidy? What happened to the promise of procuring sugarcane at ₹4,000 per tonne? You said you would give an extra kilogram of sugar. You said you would ban NEET. What happened?" he asked, alleging that the ruling party had built its campaign on assurances it never intended to fulfil.

The LPG crisis, Vijay stressed, is not just a political talking point but a daily struggle for the common man. From households grappling with rising costs to restaurants and eateries facing operational shutdowns, the ripple effects are being felt across the state's economy.

Positioning himself as an alternative, Vijay then laid out key elements of the TVK's proposed welfare agenda. His promises included six free LPG cylinders per year for every family, ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance for women heads of households below 60 years, and a series of social support schemes-from marriage assistance with gold and silk sarees to newborn welfare kits and educational aid of ₹15,000 annually for school students' guardians. He also reiterated a commitment to free bus travel for women across Tamil Nadu.

"People can trust me 100 percent," he asserted, in a direct appeal aimed at distinguishing his party from established political players.

In an emotionally charged segment of his speech, Vijay also spoke about what he described as sustained political attacks against him. Referring to controversies ranging from the Karur incident to the hurdles faced by his upcoming film Jana Nayagan, he alleged that rival parties were attempting to weaken his growing connection with the public.

"They are afraid this bond will become a weapon that could end their political careers," he said, adding, "As a brother, as a son- as your Vijay- I seek justice."

The reference to Jana Nayagan comes amid reports that the film has run into censor-related issues, delaying its release and adding another layer of tension between the actor-turned-politician and the establishment.

Even as his rhetoric intensifies on the campaign trail, Vijay is also pushing ahead electorally. On Thursday, he filed his nomination for the Tiruchirappalli East constituency for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, having earlier filed from the Perambur seat in Chennai.

The nomination process itself reflected his rising political momentum. After arriving at the Returning Officer's office around 11:25 am, Vijay waited for nearly 35 minutes as officials scrutinised his documents. The procedural delay did little to dampen the enthusiasm outside, where thousands had gathered following a massive roadshow from the city airport.

In a moment that stood out amid the political theatre, Vijay briefly halted his convoy near Melapudur to assist a two-wheeler rider involved in a minor accident-an act his supporters quickly highlighted as emblematic of his connect with the public.

As Tamil Nadu heads into a crucial election, the LPG crisis has clearly become more than just a supply issue-it is now a political flashpoint, with Vijay seeking to turn public hardship into electoral momentum while challenging both the state and the Centre to answer for what he calls a failure of governance.