CM Vijay meets TVK MLAs, asks them to focus on public grievances

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has warned two Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) legislators facing allegations of misconduct that action could follow if their conduct damages the party’s reputation. He also asked all party MLAs to avoid controversies and concentrate on public grievances.

CM Vijay held a nearly three-hour meeting with TVK legislators at a resort near Mamallapuram in Chengalpattu district on Wednesday, November 11. The meeting was held six months after the party formed the government, following a series of controversies involving its elected representatives.

The two legislators who CM Vijay met separately were Thuraiyur MLA and Deputy Speaker Ravishankar and Kallakurichi MLA Arul Vignesh. Ravishankar was recently filmed assaulting a person who had approached him with a complaint. Vignesh is accused of inappropriate behaviour towards Kallakurichi District Collector Padmaja.

Sources told TNM that CM Vijay reprimanded both legislators and cautioned them that the party would take action if they brought disrepute to the government or TVK.

The Chief Minister also met the other legislators in groups of 10. An MLA told TNM that CM Vijay exchanged Deepavali greetings with them and gave them gifts. He asked them to focus on their constituencies, address public complaints, and prioritise issues affecting residents.

Another MLA said several legislators raised difficulties they had faced while dealing with government officials. CM Vijay listened to their feedback, noted their grievances, and assured them that he would look into the issues.

He also urged the MLAs to remain vigilant and not get drawn into unnecessary controversies that could affect the public image of the party and the government.

The legislators had first met TVK general secretary and ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and CTR Nirmal Kumar. A source said they were cautioned against getting involved in controversies even before their interaction with the Chief Minister.

The meeting was held at a private resort rather than the party office, after MLAs were initially asked to assemble in Chennai. The venue was confirmed later, prompting speculation on social media that the legislators had been moved to a resort amid fears of defections. Most TVK MLAs attended the meeting, while a few were absent.