Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Dhinakaran questions tender process for relocating Tamil Nadu CM's office
A person named T.T.V. Dhinakaran is a leader of a political group called the AMMK.
He is upset about how the Tamil Nadu government is moving the Chief Minister's office.
The office is being moved from one government building to another building called Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai.
Dhinakaran says workers began fixing up the new office before the government asked companies to bid for the job.
Usually, governments are supposed to ask companies for their prices before starting such work.
He also says the paperwork for the job was posted online late and did not mention how much the project would cost.
He wants Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to explain what happened.
Dhinakaran thinks the state should not spend money on the office during tough financial times.
The Chief Minister has not responded to these questions yet.
AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran accused the TVK government of beginning work on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's new office before inviting tenders.
The Chief Minister's Office is being relocated from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat's main building to the 10th floor of Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, with work reportedly starting last month.
Dhinakaran said the tender was advertised in newspapers on August 13 but documents were uploaded to the government website only four days later.
He alleged the tender documents did not disclose the project's estimated cost, questioning the government's commitment to transparency.
Dhinakaran questioned the need for the move amid financial constraints and urged CM Vijay to clarify; the state government has not yet responded.
- Who
- T.T.V. Dhinakaran, AMMK general secretary, and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
- What
- Allegations of procedural violations in the tender process for relocating and refurbishing the Chief Minister's Office.
- When
- Work reportedly began last month; the tender was advertised on August 13 and documents were uploaded on August 17.
- Where
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu; from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat's main building to the 10th floor of Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai.
- Why
- Dhinakaran claims work began before tenders were invited and that the tender documents lacked transparency, including the estimated cost.
Government's transparency claims
AMMK's allegations
Timing of renovation work
Government's transparency claims
The TVK government has repeatedly promised corruption-free, fair and transparent administration since assuming office.
AMMK's allegations
Renovation work reportedly began last month before tenders were invited, which Dhinakaran says violates procedure.
Tender transparency
Government's transparency claims
The government claims it is committed to transparent administration.
AMMK's allegations
Dhinakaran says tender documents were uploaded four days after the public notice and did not disclose the project's estimated cost.
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Allegation raised by
- T.T.V. Dhinakaran, AMMK general secretary
- Chief Minister
- C. Joseph Vijay (TVK)
- Office relocation
- From Tamil Nadu Secretariat main building to 10th floor, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai
- Tender advertised
- August 13
- Tender documents uploaded
- August 17 (four days later)
- Estimated cost disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Government response
- None yet