Chennai/Tirupur, Apr 15:
TVK chief Vijay on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, alleging that the “biggest achievement” of the government has been the closure of MSMEs in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing a campaign rally in Tirupur, Vijay said that while Tamil Nadu leads the country in the number of micro, small and medium enterprises generating employment, it also ranks among the highest in terms of MSME shutdowns. He blamed this on policy decisions of the state government.
Targeting rising costs, he pointed to a steep increase in peak-hour electricity charges as a key reason behind the distress in the sector, claiming it had forced several small industries to shut down.
Unveiling a series of poll promises, Vijay said a TVK government would scrap peak-hour electricity charges and provide major relief to MSMEs. He announced a ₹15,000 crore State Credit Guarantee Fund, five-year electricity tax exemption, and capital subsidies for modernisation of units.
The actor-turned-politician also outlined welfare measures for weavers, farmers, and government employees, positioning MSME revival as a central plank of his party’s economic agenda.
With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, Vijay has intensified his campaign across industrial hubs, seeking to tap into dissatisfaction among small business owners and workers.