Archive · 19 Aug 2026
DMK-TVK Clash Over Chief Minister’s Office Shift and Schemes
The Tamil Nadu Assembly had a heated debate between the ruling TVK and the DMK.
They argued about moving the Chief Minister’s office to a larger building.
The DMK raised questions about whether the tender process for the work had problems.
The minister said the tender was not finished and that the report about irregularities was wrong.
The minister also said the current office did not have enough space or proper toilet facilities.
The parties disagreed about renaming a breakfast programme after K. Kamaraj.
They also discussed pensions, roads, public projects and the opening of a library in Coimbatore.
The minister said the government would release documents about revised project estimates.
DMK questioned the proposed construction of a new Chief Minister’s chamber at Namakkal Kavignar Maligai.
Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna denied tender irregularities, saying the process had not been finalised.
The parties disputed renaming the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme after former chief minister K. Kamaraj.
DMK sought clarity on the old pension scheme and proposed highway, bypass and urban development projects.
Arjuna promised documents on contract revaluations, claiming some previous works received estimates 20–30% lower.
- Who
- The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam participated in the debate.
- What
- The Assembly debated the Public Works Department’s grants, the proposed shift of the Chief Minister’s office, scheme renaming, pensions and infrastructure projects.
- When
- During the Assembly debate on the Public Works Department’s demand for grants.
- Where
- In the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, with the proposed office shift involving Namakkal Kavignar Maligai.
- Why
- The debate focused on the proposed office relocation, alleged tender irregularities, renaming of the breakfast scheme, pension policy and details of planned public works.
DMK’s objections
Government’s response
Chief Minister’s office tender
DMK’s objections
E.V. Velu questioned the proposed chamber and sought clarification over a newspaper report alleging tender irregularities.
Government’s response
Aadhav Arjuna rejected the allegation, said the tender had not been finalised and described the report as incorrect.
Breakfast scheme renaming
DMK’s objections
The DMK said it would welcome a new scheme named after K. Kamaraj but questioned changing the name of an existing programme launched by the previous government.
Government’s response
School Education Minister Rajamohan said successive governments had renamed schemes and institutions, and argued that Kamaraj was an appropriate name for the programme.
Pension system
DMK’s objections
E.V. Velu sought clarity on the old pension scheme and said the previous DMK government had announced steps toward an assured pension after employee protests.
Government’s response
AIADMK leader Thalavai Sundaram said the contributory pension system followed deliberations during the Vajpayee government and criticised the DMK for abandoning it while in power.
- Proposed location
- Namakkal Kavignar Maligai
- Government department
- Public Works Department
- Tender status
- Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the tender process had not been finalised.
- Proposed scheme name
- The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme could be renamed after K. Kamaraj.
- Pension issue
- The Assembly discussed whether to implement the old pension scheme or continue the contributory pension system.
- Estimated savings
- Aadhav Arjuna claimed some re-evaluated works had estimates 20–30% lower than earlier estimates.