From ‘Minsara Kanavu’ To Reality: Power Cuts Return To Haunt Tamil Nadu Under TVK

The 1997 Pongal release hit film Minsara Kanavu (The electric dream) turned into a sarcastic slogan when Tamil Nadu had frequent power outages. The film, Tamil language romantic comedy starring Prabhu Deva and Kajol was a hit. Then followed a power cut regime, with lights off, turning the mood dark. The sloganeering Tamilian belted, “Minsarame Kanavu”(we only dream of electricity). Somehow the just defeated DMK government managed to keep the lights on, at least most of the time. The much-taunted Power Minister, V Senthil Balaji miraculously juggled the state’s gargantuan energy needs, buying from neighbouring grids and keeping the lights on. Woefully, the regime change has brought back frequent power cuts and an uncertain situation. At a recent AIADMK public meeting chaired by AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami or EPS at Maraimalinagar, he tore into the TVK’s frequent power failure in no uncertain terms. Just looking at the steep increase in rates can give you an electric shock. Minister Nirmal Kumar is busy giving interviews even as the public suffers a 110% increase for buying electricity is not justified. During the DMK rule, price per unit was Rs 20 now it’s around Rs 37.50 to Rs 41.50 per unit.  Inspite of higher rate, the tax payer still has to face power cuts. Has EPS seen a ray of light when he concluded “Times will change”. EPS turns cynical criticism to hope.