Chennai: “Act with a sense of responsibility. Do not get caught in the conspiracy trap of the opposition parties,” TVK MLA.s have been warned by Chief Minister Vijay.
Six months have been completed since TVK formed the government. On May 13, in the Assembly, TVK proved its majority through a vote with the support of the Congress, VCK, and Communist parties. In this situation, issues such as the law and order problem prevailing in Tamil Nadu over the past few months, power cuts, and rising prices have been posing challenges to the government.
Alongside these, various criticisms have arisen over the actions of ministers and TVK MLAs. In particular, incidents such as Deputy Speaker Ravi Shankar attacking a person who came to submit a petition, Kallakurichi MLA Arul Vignesh, and the obscene SMS sent to the district collector have created a stir in Tamil Nadu politics. In these matters, various political party leaders have been voicing criticism against the Tamil Nadu government as well as against the TVK leadership. In addition, TVK alliance party members also expressed criticism.
In this situation, an MLA consultation meeting was held yesterday at 4:10 p.m. at a private luxury resort in Mamallapuram under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK leader Vijay. Ministers Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Sengottaiyan, and Nirmal Kumar were present. MLAs who attended the meeting were not allowed to carry mobile phones. Likewise, the MLAs’ assistants were also not allowed inside. They were dropped off near the resort’s entrance gate.
As the first step in the consultation meeting, Vijay, who had called the women MLAs first, inquired about the actions taken over the past six months for constituency development and the work that is being carried out. Then, the MLAs submitted reports on the work being carried out in their constituencies. After that, they were sent back immediately.
As a second step, reports have emerged that the Chief Minister spoke separately with a section of the other MLAs, and that no one else was allowed inside at the time. During these meetings, many MLAs complained that officials were not cooperating in implementing welfare schemes in their constituencies. In addition, the MLAs said that even pending works were not being completed and delays were occurring, and the Chief Minister took note of all of them.
Then, the Chief Minister told the MLAs, “Is anyone stopping you from meeting me? You can approach me at any time regarding any constituency-related issue. The work you do in your constituency is what will make you stand as a candidate next time.”
As a third phase, Chief Minister Vijay has conducted a thorough inquiry with more than 30 MLAs who have come under criticism in a controversial manner. At that time, Vijay warned, “We should not spoil the good name we have among the public. We have come here to serve them. We must behave decently in public places. We should not act in a way that brings a bad name to the party. You must act with a sense of responsibility. If complaints are made against you, whoever is at fault, I will definitely take strict action against them. Do not get caught in unnecessary controversies.”
In addition, focus on implementing welfare schemes for the people. I have given the police full freedom in maintaining law and order. Also, do not get caught in the trap laid by the opposition in the name of horse-trading. Do not pave the way for the efforts of those who seek to topple the government. Serving the people is what matters most to us. No one should be discouraged by the fact that there are many opinions against us. Local body elections and by-elections are to be held. Therefore, Vijay has advised the MLAs to keep both party work and public service in mind.
Likewise, it is said that the meeting also discussed how to respond if the opposition parties bring a no-confidence motion against the government.
After conducting this meeting for exactly 2 hours and 48 minutes, Leader Vijay left the venue at 6:38 p.m. A total of 105 MLAs took part in this consultative meeting chaired by the Leader. Among them, four did not participate: J.C.D. Prabhakar in his capacity as Speaker, Minister Naththam in connection with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s visit to Thoothukudi, MLA Mustafa because he had gone to Mecca, and V.S. Babu because he is receiving treatment in a hospital.
In addition, Chief Minister Vijay has given silk dhotis and shirts to the male MLAs who attended the consultative meeting, and silk sarees to the female MLAs as a Diwali gift.
It is noteworthy that before this meeting took place, 10 ministers and more than 30 MLAs held consultations for about an hour at Minister Anand’s residence on Greenways Road in Chennai.
