Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, September 7: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader C Joseph Vijay is scheduled to respond in the Assembly on Monday to allegations raised by the Opposition, as political activity in the state continues ahead of the proceedings.
Vijay will reply to the debate on demands for grants for the Home Department. On September 3, he had urged DMK members to remain in the House and listen to his point-by-point response instead of staging a walkout.
Several issues have since become part of the political debate, including the suspension of a sanitation workers’ agitation in Chennai, an alleged sexual assault-related case involving TVK MLA G Saravanan, the government’s outreach to Communist parties, DVAC searches linked to former DMK minister K N Nehru and a September 9 meeting of parties supporting the TVK government.
The 16-day agitation by sanitation workers in Chennai was temporarily suspended on September 4 following talks with four ministers—N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, CTR Nirmal Kumar and A Rajmohan—and Greater Chennai Corporation officials.
The workers have been demanding permanent employment and improvements in working conditions. Following the talks, the government reportedly gave assurances on several immediate demands, including food allowances, toilets and resting facilities for women workers, safety equipment and withdrawal of cases. The demand for permanent employment, however, remained unresolved, with the government agreeing to hold further discussions.
The case involving Srivaikuntam TVK MLA G Saravanan has also drawn attention. In June, a woman associated with TVK alleged that two party functionaries had sexually assaulted her and accused Saravanan of supporting the accused and attempting to mediate a settlement. Opposition leaders subsequently demanded action against the MLA.
The issue returned to the spotlight after Water Resources Minister Pussey Anand stated in the Assembly that the investigation had found no wrongdoing by Saravanan. The woman later questioned the basis of the conclusion and said she had not been questioned during the investigation into her complaint, according to reports.
The government’s handling of a circular concerning students affiliated with Left parties has also been raised. The CPI(M) had objected to instructions allegedly issued to departments and district authorities to prevent students from participating in protests organised by Left movements. The order was later withdrawn.
On September 5, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption conducted searches at multiple locations allegedly linked to former DMK minister and Tiruchirappalli West MLA K N Nehru and his associates. The searches were conducted in connection with alleged irregularities in tenders awarded by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department during the previous DMK regime.
Nehru has denied wrongdoing and described the action as political vendetta. DMK president MK Stalin also criticised the timing of the searches, alleging that the TVK government was attempting to divert attention from other political issues.
Meanwhile, the TVK government has convened a consultation meeting with parties supporting the government on September 9. TVK ministers have been meeting leaders of allied parties to invite them to the meeting. MDMK general secretary Vaiko has confirmed his participation, while the Communist parties have been considering their position.
The meeting is expected to discuss the proposed structure of the coalition, including its name and coordination mechanism, as well as political issues relating to the upcoming local body elections.
With the Assembly set to hear Vijay’s reply on Monday, attention is focused on whether the Chief Minister will address the Opposition’s allegations point by point, as he promised in the House on September 3.