Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay May Make U-Turn On Foreshore Estate Secretariat Plan Amid Mounting Opposition

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's plans to build a new Secretariat complex on the Foreshore Estate in Chennai are facing strong resistance from local fishermen and political parties, including those allied with his ruling party. The opposition is mounting, leading to speculation that Vijay may reconsider the location of his dream project.

Former Chief Minister M K Stalin has vehemently opposed the plans, warning the DMK would join forces with fishermen's organizations and carry out a massive protest if Vijay remained stubborn. After consulting with fishermen, Stalin urged Vijay to withdraw his unilateral decision to construct the Secretariat at Foreshore Estate. The DMK has pledged to support the fishermen until the Government backs off.

The government could also look into constructing the Secretariat at the Omandurar Government Estate in central Chennai, where a hospital currently operates after the Karunanidhi regime decided to relocate it from Fort St George. According to Stalin, there are rumors that the Government chose the Foreshore Estate because astrologers advised that the Chief Minister's office should face the sea.

Recently, State Secretary of the CPI-M, P Shanmugam, criticized the project, warning that the party would reconsider its support if Vijay acted unilaterally. He emphasized that the TVK government received support from only 34% of the voters, not 100%, and called for the government to show more democracy.