States » SouthPosted at: Sep 21 2026 6:00PM


Flip-flop on policy gives opposition a handle, puts Vijay govt on the defensive

MC Rajan
Chennai, Sep 21 (UNI) Glaring policy flip-flops have put the Vijay government on the defensive as the opposition and the Left parties, which provide crucial outside support to the minority dispensation, keep hammering the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for weak governance and administration.
In five months in office, the TVK government has been forced to backtrack on a few occasions, following backlash, raising questions about whether Chief Minister Joseph Vijay indeed holds the reins of the government. The recent decision to build a new Secretariat Complex at Pattinapakkam (Foreshore Estate) near the Marina seafront, which might displace fisherfolk, has stirred up a hornet’s nest.
Recently, the government was caught on the wrong foot. The Government Order (GO) for the Rs 1200 crore new Secretariat Complex followed Vijay’s announcement in the Budget session. The identified site was Pattinapakkam, and fisherfolk were up in arms against the move. Besides the opposition DMK, AIADMK, PMK, DMDK and the BJP, the Left parties also condemned the proposal as highly unsuitable and demanded its rescission.
Though all political parties favour a new Secretariat Complex with modern amenities, having it in the heart of the congested city is being opposed. The two Left parties joined the chorus against choosing Pattinapakkam, questioning the rationale behind it.
Faced with growing opposition, senior TVK leader and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna attempted to clear the air, stating the Chief Minister had not yet decided on the issue and that both Vijay and his government would stand by the fishing community. “The Chief Minister has not yet taken a final decision. The GO is only a proposal and for a feasibility study. When it comes to the secretariat complex and the livelihood of fishermen, Vijay would stand by the fisherfolk,” he told a meeting of party workers at Maduranthakam, where bypoll is slated for October 6.
However, this proved counterproductive. The opposition questioned how a GO could be issued without the Chief Minister's knowledge. “A GO is the decision of the government. If it was issued without the Chief Minister's knowledge, action should be initiated against the responsible official. If it had the Chief Minister’s consent, it is wrong, and the site should be changed,” CPI(M) state secretary P.Shanmugham told reporters here.
DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin threatened to launch an agitation if the decision is not given up. “Reports suggest the Chief Minister wants his office in the new secretariat facing the seafront based on astrological advice. The choice of location is shocking, as it is integral to fisherfolk's livelihood. The locality also has many schools and suffers from traffic congestion,” he said in
a statement.
Even before the honeymoon period ended, the government faced flip-flops, such as the circular preventing students from participating
in protests by the CJP and Left Parties, among others. But, as usual, Vijay remains silent, leaving ministers to engage in firefighting to save the day for the government.
(ED : PICK UP SUITABLY FROM MS 17).
UNI MCR GV
Tags: #Flip-flop on policy gives opposition a handle# puts Vijay govt on the defensive
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