Just days after taking office, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has demanded the central government roll back a ₹3 per litre increase in petrol and diesel prices, calling the hike 'unacceptable'. This price revision, which ended a four-year freeze, has raised concerns about inflation and its disproportionate impact on poor and middle-class households in the state. Vijay highlighted that the increase poses a direct threat to Tamil Nadu's industrial backbone, particularly affecting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) already struggling with high operational costs. The Chief Minister criticized the timing of the hike, suggesting it follows a pattern of suppressing prices during elections to avoid backlash. His confrontational approach marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, as he is the first leader from a non-Dravidian party to hold the office since 1969. The demand for a rollback has resonated nationally, with public protests emerging in response to soaring fuel prices. As the new administration settles in, the fuel price issue could define Vijay's early tenure and his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the state's citizens.