CHENNAI: A sharp political confrontation erupted between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the DMK in the Tamil Nadu Assembly over the proposed relocation of Chief Minister Vijay’s office to Namakkal Kavignar Maligai. The debate, held during discussions on demands for grants for the Public Works Department, also widened to include tender procedures, the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, pension policy and major infrastructure projects.

DMK leader and former Public Works Minister E.V. Velu questioned the need to create a new Chief Minister’s office at Namakkal Kavignar Maligai and sought an explanation over reports alleging irregularities in renovation-related tenders.

Public Works and Highways Minister Aadhav Arjuna rejected the charges and said the tender process had not been finalised. He argued that the existing Chief Minister’s Office lacked adequate working space and that the proposed facility was intended to accommodate officials and staff more efficiently. Arjuna told the Assembly that the new arrangement would provide space for around 80 people to work together.

Velu also raised concerns that relocating the CMO could affect facilities currently used by Secretariat employees, including dining and rest areas. The government maintained that the move was driven by administrative requirements rather than personal convenience for the Chief Minister.

The discussion intensified over the government’s proposal to rename the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. Velu said the DMK would welcome a new welfare programme named after Kamaraj but questioned the need to rename an existing scheme introduced by the previous government.

School Education Minister Rajamohan defended the proposal, arguing that governments had renamed schemes and institutions in the past. He said Kamaraj, remembered for his contribution to education in Tamil Nadu, was an appropriate figure to be associated with the breakfast programme.

The exchange added another political dimension to the Assembly debate, with the DMK accusing the TVK government of changing the identity of programmes launched under the previous administration.

Velu also highlighted projects completed during the previous DMK government and questioned the TVK administration about upcoming highways, bypass roads, urban development programmes and disaster-management works.

Responding to criticism over contracts, Aadhav Arjuna said the government would release detailed documents on tender re-evaluations. He claimed that retendering and reassessment of some works sanctioned during the previous administration had resulted in estimates that were 20% to 36% lower in certain cases. The minister said a white paper would be released detailing tender-related information from the DMK period.

Velu also sought clarity on whether the TVK government intended to restore the old pension scheme or continue with the contributory pension system. AIADMK leader Thalavai Sundaram joined the debate, referring to the history of the contributory pension system and questioning the DMK’s earlier position.

The DMK leader further demanded greater clarity in the government’s policy note on proposed four-lane and eight-lane roads and other major infrastructure projects planned during the financial year.

Velu concluded his remarks by invoking a Thirukkural and the popular line “Acham Enbadhu Madamaiyada,” urging the government to face criticism without fear. The exchanges underlined the increasingly combative relationship between the TVK government and the DMK opposition as debates over administrative decisions, welfare schemes and public spending intensify in the Assembly.