DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji on Sunday, 14 June launched a sharp attack on the TVK-led state government over recurring power outages across Tamil Nadu, accusing it of administrative failure and demanding urgent corrective action. Balaji alleged that residents in several parts of the state were enduring power cuts lasting between six and 12 hours, prompting protests and road blockades even at midnight.

What Balaji Alleged

In a strongly worded statement, Balaji said the government — which had promised sweeping changes upon assuming office — had instead pushed residents into hardship within a month of taking power. He said the outages were forcing children, elderly citizens, and patients out onto the streets at night.

'The government that promised change has delivered only disappointment. Power outages have become so severe that people, including children, elderly citizens and patients, are being forced out onto the streets at night,' he said.

Balaji criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for remaining silent on the issue and accused Electricity Minister V. Senthilkumar of attempting to divert attention from the crisis through what he called conspiracy theories.

The Fuse Carrier Controversy

Balaji specifically challenged the minister's recent claims that theft of fuse carriers and missing hard disks were responsible for the power disruptions. He questioned how a theft occurring during the day could explain power failures at night, and argued that the entire distribution network could not be dependent on a single fuse carrier.

'Instead of addressing the real issue, the minister is creating stories and trying to mislead the public,' he alleged. He also rejected suggestions that power sector employees were involved in sabotage, saying the workforce had consistently served the public with dedication.

DMK's Record Under Scrutiny

Highlighting the previous DMK government's tenure, Balaji pointed out that Tamil Nadu's peak power demand had risen from 16,481 MW in 2021 to 20,974 MW in April 2026, yet uninterrupted supply had been maintained during that period. He claimed Tamil Nadu had been recognised as one of India's best-performing states in power reliability, and that nearly two lakh farmers had received free electricity connections under the previous administration.

Demands and What Comes Next

Calling for immediate intervention, Balaji urged the TVK government to focus on resolving the electricity crisis rather than producing social media content. Invoking DMK President M.K. Stalin, he said governments may mislead people for a time but not indefinitely, and demanded that the administration adopt 'war-footing measures' to eliminate power cuts and restore public confidence.

The TVK government is yet to formally respond to Balaji's specific allegations. With summer demand at its peak and public frustration mounting, the pressure on the state's power administration is set to intensify in the coming weeks.