Energy crisis: No need to panic or pay attention to rumours, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to the people not to pay attention to rumours or panic in the wake of the LPG supply disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, and urged that only verified information be disseminated.

The PM's comments come in the wake of the commercial LPG short supply that has affected the hotel industry across the country and opposition criticism over the issue and also amidst fears of a possible shortage of or spurt in prices of petrol and diesel in the coming days.

Addressing a mega NDA poll rally in Tiruchirappalli, the PM also slammed the DMK rule in Tamil Nadu and said that people wanted a government that worked for every family, and not just for one family.

"I would like to appeal to people, let us only spread correct, verified information," he said, apparently referring to the LPG crisis triggered by the supply disruption due to the conflict between US-Israel and Iran that has affected the Gulf region.

The conflict has affected whole world's energy supply chain, he said.

"There is no need to panic or pay attention to rumours," he said.

"In any situation, we have seen how our government always puts interests of India above everything."

He said he was confident that as a nation, "we will navigate every situation successfully."

Sharpening his attack against the DMK, he said, "In DMK rule, everything starts and ends with one family..."

"In 2021, people of TN brought DMK to power; and instead of taking it as a responsibility, they have betrayed the mandate."

People know that NDA could bring change in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister said, addressing the massive rally of the opposition bloc, here, the third one for the state since January 23.

The AIADMK heads the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu and its constituents include the BJP, PMK and AMMK.

Further, just like all rivers go to sea, all corrupt money in the state goes to one family, he said, targeting the DMK regime.

The Dravidian party was infamous for its "scientific corruption model," he alleged.

Mounting a blistering attack on the ruling DMK dispensation, Modi said that "today same scientific graft model is used to make Tamil Nadu an ATM for one family."

The DMK was "infamous for their scientific corruption" model, he said retorting to party president and Chief Minister M K Stalin's refrain on the Dravidian model of governance, and alleged that "ministers may change, MLAs may change, but power remains only with one dynasty."

Targeting DMK in the cash for jobs scam, he said when jobs were sold for money, the dreams of the middle class and poor were destroyed.

"The whole of Tamil Nadu has made up its mind to throw out DMK regime," Modi said.

On the international airport status for Madurai, he said the Centre brought the world to the doorstep of the city.

Also, he underscored a new terminal for Tiruchirappalli airport, which is 'modern, also fully immersed in culture of TN.'

He could feel the pulse of the state very clearly that a desire for change was gaining huge momentum.

He took a keen interest in connecting with Tamil people, and when it came to respecting TN and its culture, the Centre has always been at the forefront.

It was a matter of pride that C P Radhakrishnan, a son of TN, has become the Vice-President.

Recalling his "divine experience" in the city two years ago, he said it was a privilege to be among the people again in Tiruchirappalli, "a land of courage and faith."

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran and PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss among others participated.