TVK leader Vijay slams Centre over LPG price hike; calls out both BJP and DMK

Chennai, April 8 (IANS) Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Tamil superstar Vijay has strongly criticised the central government’s decision to increase the price of LPG cylinders, calling it an unfair burden on the public already grappling with economic hardships.  

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Vijay said, “The BJP government’s decision to hike LPG cylinder prices is a direct attack on the common people. At a time when daily life is already a struggle, this move will only worsen their plight.” He also dismissed the Centre’s claim that subsidies would be directly transferred to consumers’ bank accounts, calling it a deceptive tactic.

“This is clearly a move to mislead the people,” he asserted. Vijay accused the BJP of deliberately increasing gas prices when essential commodity prices are already at an all-time high. “Now, with global crude oil prices at record lows, why isn’t the government using this opportunity to support the public instead of favouring a select few?” he questioned.

The TVK leader didn’t spare the ruling DMK government either. He criticised it for failing to fulfil its election promises. “The DMK had promised a Rs 100 subsidy per cylinder but has done nothing in the last four years. They make tall claims to win elections and then forget the people. When will this cycle of betrayal end?” he asked.

Vijay further warned that the public would hold both governments accountable for their failures. He reaffirmed that his party, TVK, will stand firmly with the people.

It may be recalled that Vijay officially launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam on February 2, 2024, positioning the party as a platform against corruption and divisive politics. Although he chose not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Vijay has confirmed that TVK will actively participate in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Vijay’s political influence has been steadily growing. In the 2021 local body elections, his fan club, the All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI), won 115 out of the 169 seats it contested. This performance outshone other star-led parties like Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), both of which failed to secure a single seat. Vijay has made it clear that TVK will align only with parties willing to accept his leadership, signalling his clear ambition to emerge as a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post in 2026.