DMK-TVK Clash in Assembly Over Shifting of CM’s Office

Chennai: A heated exchange took place between the ruling TVK and the DMK during the debate on the public works department’s demand for grants in the Assembly, with the proposed shifting of the Chief Minister’s office to Namakkal Kavignar Maligai and the renaming of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme emerging as key points of contention.

DMK leader and former public works minister E.V. Velu questioned the proposed construction of a new Chief Minister’s chamber at Namakkal Kavignar Maligai. He alleged that an English daily had reported irregularities in the tender process and sought a clarification from the government.

Public works department minister Aadhav Arjuna rejected the allegation, saying the tender process had not yet been finalised and the newspaper report was incorrect. He said the existing Chief Minister’s office lacked adequate space and even proper toilet facilities, making it necessary to provide a more suitable workplace.

The exchange also touched upon the proposed renaming of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme after former chief minister K. Kamaraj. Velu said the DMK would welcome the move if the government wished to name a new scheme after Kamaraj, but questioned why the name of an existing scheme, launched by the previous government, was being changed.

School education minister Rajamohan countered that changing the names of government schemes was not new. He cited instances where schemes and institutions had been renamed by successive governments and said there was no more appropriate name for the breakfast programme than that of Kamaraj.

Velu also highlighted several projects implemented during the previous DMK regime, including the Madurai Kalaignar library, Periyar Nagar hospital, Keeladi museum, the jallikattu arena and infrastructure projects across the state. He questioned when the Periyar library in Coimbatore would be opened.

Regarding the old pension scheme, Velu sought clarity on whether the government would implement the scheme or continue with the contributory pension system. He said the DMK had earlier announced measures towards an assured pension following prolonged protests by government employees.

AIADMK leader Thalavai Sundaram said the contributory pension system had been introduced after deliberations during the Vajpayee government and criticised the DMK for abandoning it when it was in power.

Velu also questioned the government over details of proposed highway, bypass, urban development and disaster management projects, saying the policy note lacked clarity on the number of four-lane and eight-lane roads to be taken up during the current financial year.

He concluded his speech by referring to a Thirukkural and quoting the song ‘Acham Enbadhu Madamaiyada’, urging the government not to be afraid of criticism.

Responding to the allegations on tenders, minister Arjuna said a comprehensive set of documents relating to revaluation of contracts would be released. He claimed that several works awarded during the previous regime were now receiving estimates 20–30 per cent lower upon re-evaluation.

He said officials could not finalise or move forward with major projects without bringing them to the minister’s notice, and promised that the government would release documents relating to the revised estimates.