Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Joseph Vijay slammed the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government on October 28, 2025, for failing to protect harvested paddy from heavy rains in the Cauvery Delta. Accusing the administration of negligence, Vijay posed six questions on delayed procurement and inadequate safeguards, warning that “people will send the DMK home” in the 2026 elections.

Rains between October 21 and 27 soaked open storage yards in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, sprouting over 1.2 lakh metric tonnes of paddy worth ₹400–600 crore. Farmers, who invested ₹45,000 per acre, face ruin as delayed procurement—originally set for October 15—left grains exposed. Vijay demanded to know why procurement lagged, what preventive steps were taken, and when compensation would arrive.

Tamil Nadu targets 20 lakh tonnes annually through 1,500 purchase centres, but only 60% were ready by mid-October despite DMK’s ₹2,100 per quintal support price pledge. Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam announced emergency tarpaulins and drying units on October 26, but Vijay called them “publicity stunts”. AIADMK’s Edappadi Palaniswami echoed the criticism during field visits.

The crisis highlights systemic delays that force farmers into distress sales at ₹1,400–1,600. With the India Meteorological Department forecasting showers until November 5, TVK is leveraging rural anger in a region electing 38 MLAs. Vijay urged swift insurance payouts, loan waivers, and ₹2,500 per quintal for damaged stocks. As procurement resumes November 1, the episode threatens DMK’s pro-farmer image in a key vote bank.