DMK, allies hold protests over LPG shortage

Chennai/Trichy: DMK and its allies sought to corner BJP over LPG shortage, organising protests across the state on Sunday accusing the Union govt of failing to ensure uninterrupted supply. Chief minister M K Stalin said the LPG shortage was due to the ‘failed foreign policy' of the Union govt led by BJP.Leaders of DMK front hit out at the Union govt for supporting the war' leading to deaths of hundreds of people in Iran. "Flawed decisions by the BJP govt, which has become a ‘failure model' even in foreign policy, have resulted in a severe LPG cylinder shortage. The lack of foresight and precautionary measures has left people suffering," Stalin said in an X post. In Trichy, two separate demonstrations, led by municipal administration minister K N Nehru and school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, were held. "If NDA alliance parties truly cared about the people, they would take the initiative to resolve the issue. Chief minister M K Stalin has already convened meetings and is working on alternative arrangements to ease the hardship," he added. Protesters raised slogans against the NDA government over the issue.Leading the protest In Ponmalai, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said the Union govt owes his department ₹3,458 crore. "Just as they kept us waiting, we must ensure BJP is placed on the ‘waiting list' in the upcoming election," he said.Natural resources minister S Regupathy led the agitation in Pudukottai and former minister V Senthilbalaji in Karur. MDMK general secretary Vaiko, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam and DMDK treasurer L K Sudhish led the statewide protests.