T.N. Assembly election: Vijay files nomination from Tiruchi East, blames Centre and State for LPG shortage

Blaming both the Union and State governments for the ongoing LPG shortage, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday said the crisis had forced several hotels to close and caused widespread hardship to people.

Addressing a campaign meeting at Marakkadai after filing his nomination for the Tiruchi East constituency, his second seat, Mr. Vijay said if the BJP-led Union government had been alert, it could have controlled the problem, and if the DMK-led State government had acted with some urgency, Tamil Nadu could have been better protected. “But Stalin sir would say the State had no role in the issue. Yet, if there is a raid or a problem at his home, he would fly to Delhi. Could he not go to Delhi for this? What happened to the promise of providing ₹100 subsidy per cylinder?” he asked.

“We have a Minister in whose department crores of rupees have been taken as bribes for providing jobs. This has denied employment to qualified persons. If this department alone is involved a ₹1,000-crore scam, imagine the scale [of corruption] in other departments. Your heads will spin,” he remarked, referring to allegations of corruption (made by the Enforcement Directorate) in the Municipal Administration Department.

“They promised to fill lakhs of government vacancies, but these have turned out to be empty assurances,” he said urging the electorate to dislodge the “useless DMK government”.

“We will provide a government that works. Give me a chance in this election to ensure the well being of the State’s future,” he told the voters.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay filing his nomination from the Tiruchi East constituency on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
M. MOORTHY

Calling the DMK-led alliance a “kallapetti kootani” (money-gathering alliance) and the AIADMK-led NDA the “Matrum Palar kootani” (several others’ alliance), he alleged that both were in an surreptitious alliance to jointly oppose his party. “Many say the Karur incident [stampede at his rally in which 41 people died] itself is a conspiracy,” he said.

“Do not trust either the BJP or the DMK. They are not different; they are effectively one. You should have no doubt about this,” he said.

Referring to the delay in the release of his last film, he said” ‘Jananayagan’ is something close to all of us. “Fearing that it would strengthen us further, thinking it would become a huge weapon, there is a collective conspiracy against its release. I have come seeking justice from you,” he said even while regaling his supporters by singing a brief portion of his election song during his 13-minute speech.

Earlier, Mr. Vijay filed his nomination to contest from the Tiruchi East constituency at the Corporation Zonal office at Palakkarai. He had already filed his nomination to contest from Perambur constituency in Chennai

While on his way to file the nomination, Mr.Vijay briefly got down from his vehicle to make enquiries on the well being of a two-wheeler rider who had met with an accident.

During his campaign at Marakkadai, a few people in the crow fainted amidst the searing heat. None was hospitalised, police sources said.

S. Sathish, 27, a TSP 1st Battalion police personnel, who was on bandobust duty, sustained injuries when a car belonging to TVK functionary Aadhav Arjuna hit him after the meeting ended. He was admitted to a hospital. An investigation is on.