Political Leaders Condemn Governor Arlekar Over Vaigai River Inspection Threat

On Friday, a major political controversy erupted in Chennai after Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar criticized government officials in Madurai for failing to clean the River Vaigai and threatened Raj Bhavan's intervention. The Governor's remarks drew sharp condemnation from political leaders, including State Minister for Electricity C T R Nirmal Kumar and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, who accused him of interfering in state administration and violating the Constitution.

Speaking to the media in Madurai, Nirmal Kumar urged government officials not to cooperate with the Governor if he were to undertake an inspection without the permission of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. He questioned the Governor's authority, stating it was mysterious why Arlekar issued a threat for the Raj Bhavan to take up the cleanup work when he was not empowered to do so.

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the ruling TVK government of compromising the rights of the State by allowing the Governor to conduct the inspection. He stated that the "reckless audacity" exhibited by the Governor pointed to the incompetence of the ruling party.

Udhayanidhi Stalin further condemned Arlekar for issuing an order in consultation with the Madurai District Collector and the Madurai police commissioner. He argued that these actions amounted to direct interference in the State government's administration and violated the Constitution. He remarked that Arlekar had conducted the inspection as though he were an elected representative, forgetting that he was appointed to the gubernatorial post with only an "additional responsibility."

Recalling past events, Udhayanidhi Stalin noted that the DMK had previously held black flag protests when the Governor conducted inspections during the AIADMK regime. He added that when the DMK was in power, M K Stalin never allowed such digressions by the Governor. He called on the TVK government to take appropriate action against the inspections.

Meanwhile, the BJP defended the Acting Governor. BJP chief spokesman Narayanan Thirupathy condemned the criticism from Nirmal Kumar as "unwarranted and politically motivated," urging the minister to focus instead on restoring the River Vaigai. Thirupathy stated that Arlekar had rightly expressed shock at the polluted condition of the river and had assured Lok Bhavan's support to the youth of Madurai to restore it.