Stalin announces Statewide protest against Vijay government over prices and law and order
DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has called for a statewide protest by the party’s Women’s Wing on October 31, targeting what he described as worsening law and order and rising living costs under the TVK administration.
In a video message and a post on X, Stalin criticised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s government, accusing it of lacking direction and independent decision-making. He said demonstrations at district headquarters would act as a warning to the ruling administration.
Stalin claimed that voters had expected Vijay’s screen image as a fearless hero to translate into effective governance but were now disappointed. He also accused the Chief Minister of remaining distant from the public and approaching his responsibilities like a routine nine-to-five job.
On law and order, Stalin cited alleged daylight killings in Chennai, sexual offences against children and the reported escape of 17 inmates from Theni district jail in one night.
He further alleged that TVK functionaries were connected to half of the recent crimes. Referring to the arrest of a party office-bearer by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence over alleged links to an international synthetic drug network, Stalin questioned whether drug-related funds had been used to support the party’s election campaign.
The DMK leader also criticised the government over rising prices of essential goods, including rice and onions. He alleged that electricity was being purchased at an excessive rate of Rs 37 per unit, reflecting inadequate planning in the power sector.
Responding to Minister Viswanathan’s accusations that the previous DMK government was responsible for the present power shortage and a Rs 6,000 crore loss in the Rs 13,000 crore Thoothukudi project, Stalin rejected the claims.
He accused the ruling party of attempting to shift blame and compared its approach to a cat shutting its eyes and assuming darkness had covered the world.
Earlier in Madurai, after paying respects at the memorial of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, Stalin highlighted the DMK’s contributions to commemorating the leader and said his courage continued to inspire the party.
Asked whether the DMK would support NTK chief Seeman in the Ambasamudaram by-election, Stalin said the party would decide after the election schedule was announced.
At Chennai airport, Stalin described the arrest of a former DMK minister as politically motivated and said the party would challenge the case in court. He recalled the DMK’s past experiences under laws such as MISA, TADA and POTA, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to withstand the current situation.