Archive · 19 Aug 2026
AIADMK Alleges Tender Irregularities Under TVK-Led Tamil Nadu Government
An opposition leader in Tamil Nadu said the government was not handling some tenders properly.
He claimed work on a new Chief Minister’s office was mostly finished before the tender was announced.
He also questioned why a limited tender was used for another office renovation.
Another concern involved delays in buying yarn for a scheme that gives dhotis and sarees to ration-card families.
The leader said more than 1.77 crore families could be affected.
He warned that weavers might not have enough time to make the clothes before the January festival.
He also alleged that officials were facing pressure over which contractor should receive the order.
The government had not given an immediate response.
AIADMK leader R B Udhayakumar alleged irregularities and contradictions in government tender awards under the TVK-led Tamil Nadu administration.
He claimed renovation of a proposed Chief Minister’s office was about 90% complete before a Rs 5.4 crore tender was issued on August 12.
Udhayakumar questioned a limited tender for renovating Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s MLA office in Perambur.
He said delays in the Pongal dhoti-and-saree scheme tender could harm more than 1.77 crore ration cardholders and affect weavers.
The government and ruling TVK had not immediately responded to the allegations.
- Who
- AIADMK senior leader R B Udhayakumar made the allegations against the TVK-led Tamil Nadu administration.
- What
- He alleged irregularities and procedural contradictions in office renovation tenders and the Pongal dhoti-and-saree scheme tender.
- When
- The allegations were reported on August 19; the renovation tender mentioned was issued on August 12.
- Where
- The issues concern Tamil Nadu, including Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai and the Chief Minister’s MLA office in Perambur; Udhayakumar spoke to reporters in Madurai.
- Why
- He said completed or delayed work, the use of limited tenders, and unresolved negotiations could avoid scrutiny, disrupt production, and affect weavers and beneficiaries.
AIADMK’s allegations
Government and TVK response
Renovation tender timing
AIADMK’s allegations
Udhayakumar alleged that the Chief Minister’s office renovation was mostly completed before a tender was issued, potentially avoiding scrutiny in the Legislative Assembly.
Government and TVK response
The government had not immediately responded to this allegation.
Use of limited tenders
AIADMK’s allegations
Udhayakumar questioned why a limited tender was allowed for renovating C Joseph Vijay’s MLA office after the administration had cancelled limited tenders in the electricity board on policy grounds.
Government and TVK response
The government had not immediately explained the differing tender decisions.
Dhoti-and-saree scheme delay
AIADMK’s allegations
Udhayakumar said the unresolved yarn tender could delay production, harm handloom and powerloom weavers, and affect the quality and timely delivery of the scheme’s clothing.
Government and TVK response
The government and ruling TVK had not immediately commented on the tender delay or the allegations of pressure over the lowest bidder.
- Allegation
- R B Udhayakumar alleged irregularities and contradictions in government tender awards.
- Office renovation tender
- A tender valued at Rs 5.4 crore was issued on August 12 for renovation work at Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai.
- Reported work status
- Udhayakumar claimed nearly 90% of the renovation had already been completed before the tender was issued.
- Scheme beneficiaries
- The Pongal free dhoti-and-saree scheme covers more than 1.77 crore ration cardholders.
- Tender timeline
- The yarn tender remained unfinalised after August 15, despite notifications on July 1 and July 20 and the shortlisting of 20 contractors on August 1.
- Production concern
- Udhayakumar warned that delays could jeopardise production of 1.78 crore dhotis and sarees before the January festival.
- Government response
- There was no immediate reaction from the government or the ruling TVK.