TN Governor’s review meeting draws criticism from state ministers and opposition
A review meeting conducted by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar with senior officials in Madurai has triggered a political controversy. The governor also spoke about the restoration of the Vaigai River, prompting criticism from ministers and opposition leaders.
State Energy and Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said that reviewing government departments is the responsibility of the elected administration and not the governor. Speaking to reporters in Madurai, he maintained that only the government chosen by the people has the authority to assess official programmes and monitor departmental work.
The minister also stated that government officials should inform the state administration if they receive invitations to attend review meetings convened by the governor without prior government approval. According to him, the government would resist any action it considers an intrusion into its administrative functions.
He further said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay would continue to exercise authority over governance and policymaking without compromise.
Responding to remarks on the Vaigai River restoration, Nirmal Kumar said the state had already begun the process after assuming office and had applied to the Union government for the necessary environmental clearances. Work, he added, would begin once approvals are granted.
Several political leaders also objected to the governor’s actions. Madurai MP S. Venkatesan questioned whether similar attention would be given to unresolved projects such as AIIMS Madurai and argued that the governor’s office should not function like a parallel administration.
CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian alleged that the governor had exceeded the constitutional role assigned to the office.
Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu, writing on X, accused the governor of interfering in matters handled by the elected government while remaining silent on issues affecting Tamil Nadu, including the Mekedatu dam dispute. He said protecting the state’s interests on matters such as the Cauvery, Vaigai and Thamirabarani rivers was the responsibility of the elected government.
MMK president and MLA M.H. Jawahirullah described the governor’s actions as inconsistent with India’s federal structure and urged the state government to firmly defend Tamil Nadu’s constitutional rights. Congress MP Jothimani and CPM leader K. Balakrishnan also criticised the governor’s intervention.