How an airport cancellation in Tamil Nadu turned into a battle of ‘sons-in-law’

The political skirmish over Tamil Nadu's proposed Parandur airport escalated to a verbal dispute involving alleged "son-in-laws" of ruling party leaders. Energy and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar accused the government of abandoning the project for financial gain tied to G Square, a real-estate firm connected to the son-in-law of former Chief Minister M K Stalin.

In response, Thangam Thennarasu, the former finance minister and DMK leader, likened the accusation to targeting a "lottery son-in-law" belonging to Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna, son-in-law of lottery businessman Santiago Martin. The debate then shifted back to infrastructure feasibility as Thennarasu highlighted that environmental concerns, water bodies and agricultural land were key reasons the project faced delays.

Thennarasu argued that abandoning the project now would hinder Tamil Nadu's economic growth and that the existing airport couldn't simply absorb expansion due to overcrowding in the Meenambakkam area. Industries Minister S Keerthana defended the government's decision, stating that acquired land would continue to be used for agriculture, generating jobs and economic activity.

She also emphasized that the government remains committed to expanding Chennai's airport capacity, even if not at the proposed Parandur site.