The principal opposition party, AIADMK, staged protests across Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, condemning the state government for increasing the power tariff by 4.3% and demanding a rollback of the hike. The protests were marked by the participation of several senior leaders, including KP Munusamy, SP Velumani, P Thangamani, K Sengottaiyan, and D Jayakumar, who voiced their dissent in their respective districts.
AIADMK leaders accused the DMK government of mismanaging the power sector and indulging in corruption, leading to the necessity of a tariff hike. They argued that the increased rates were a burden on the common people and small businesses, particularly those reliant on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In Madurai, former minister Sellur K Raju led a protest at Munichalai junction. Party functionaries held oil lanterns and candlelights, raising slogans against the tariff hike. Raju stated that the people of Tamil Nadu were severely affected by the increase in electricity charges and warned that the government could face backlash in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Raju emphasized that the tariff hike was not just a burden on the general population but also on MSMEs, which are crucial to the state’s economy. He highlighted additional burdens placed on the people by increases in water consumption charges and property taxes.