AIADMK leader R B Udhayakumar questioned Chief Minister Vijay's administration over the Rs 30 rice scheme. His allegations raised concerns about procurement transparency, inflation control, policing and disaster preparedness.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay Madurai,Oct 26, 2026 14:56 ISTSenior AIADMK leader R B Udhayakumar has accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of prioritising office decoration and security for his associates over disaster management, public safety and controlling inflation, news agency PTI reported.In a video statement, Udhayakumar questioned the administrative priorities of the newly formed TVK government and alleged a lack of transparency in the state's recently launched scheme to sell fine-grain rice at Rs 30 a kg.“What is the Chief Minister's job?

Is it just decorating the CM's office, installing plaques, and beautifying his residence? During times of disaster and heavy rains, actions must be taken on a war footing.

Instead, your administration does not even know how to control the rising prices of essential commodities,” he said.Udhayakumar also accused the state government of misusing the police force. He said Tamil Nadu's police force was on a par with Scotland Yard but alleged that personnel were being diverted to provide security to the Chief Minister's friends and associates travelling along the East Coast Road instead of focusing on public safety and cases involving missing people.

According to PTI, Udhayakumar said the open-market price of rice had risen from Rs 30 to Rs 60 a kg over the past three months. He said the government introduced the scheme to sell fine-grain rice at Rs 30 a kg to prevent prices from crossing Rs 100.However, he described the scheme as “daylight robbery”.

He alleged that the government was taking the 20 kg of rice supplied free under a scheme introduced by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, polishing it and repackaging it as fine-grain rice for sale at Rs 30 a kg. “People who bought this rice are protesting in districts like Ariyalur, Salem, and Namakkal. They are demanding their money back because the rice emits a foul smell and is not even fit for poultry feed,” he claimed.

He added that the DMK government had earlier faced a similar public backlash when it tried to sell rotten onions to control market prices.Udhayakumar demanded that the government release a white paper on the procurement process. “If the government claims it is not polishing free rice, then where did you buy this new rice? Where was the tender published?

From whom was it procured, in what quantity, and at what price? Does the Food Minister or the Chief Minister have an answer to this?” he asked.The former minister also criticised Vijay for remaining silent on issues affecting the state.

He said the administration was waiting for the Chief Minister's orders and guidance, but alleged that Vijay had not responded.“He promised a clean and transparent administration, but what we are seeing is a fraudulent one. My doubt is whether Chief Minister Vijay is even aware of this Rs 30 rice scheme scam.

If he knew, wouldn't he have offered an explanation?” Udhayakumar said, according to PTI.Udhayakumar's allegations centred on the TVK government's handling of disaster response, policing, inflation and the Rs 30-a-kg rice scheme, for which he sought details about procurement and pricing.- Ends