Raju Lashes Out at CM Vijay Over Kaveri, Law and Order, Waterlogging

AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu minister Sellur K. Raju has lashed out at Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, citing multiple concerns about the state's governance. In Madurai, Raju questioned the government's restrictions on the expression of government employees, its handling of the Kaveri water dispute, the state of law and order, and the waterlogging caused by rain. He claimed the government had failed to provide effective administration.

Raju objected in particular to a circular that stops government employees from airing their views against the government on social media and at public gatherings. He asked whether Chief Minister Vijay had tried to limit freedom of expression by preventing government staff from voicing opinions, and whether he had begun behaving like a dictator.

'This is a democratic country,' Raju said. 'The TVK government came to power through a temporary electoral win, and it has now become a government that knows nothing. Whenever democracy is in danger, they claim they alone will show the way. They promise new things, development and freedom for everyone. The TVK leader himself made the same claims. When he started his party, he said Tamil Nadu had been destroyed under Dravidian parties. But he should have carried forward the great achievements of the Dravidian governments and worked on them further.'

He said six months had gone by without the government doing anything new. Several sections of society, including government employees, are staging protests. 'Now, pouring oil on the fire, they say government employees should not express their views. Has Chief Minister Vijay become a dictator who wants to snatch freedom of expression from the people?'

Raju also made a pointed remark about the Chief Minister's image. 'A chief minister who knows nothing and has failed even to get Kaveri water wants to stay in the limelight, like a film actor playing a hero and making reels,' he said.

He concluded with a warning. 'They came to power through roadshows and reels. People will accept them only if they truly deliver good governance. If they think they can run both the government and the party on reels alone, the public will soon teach this government a hard lesson.'

Earlier, Raju paid tribute to the Marudhu Pandiyar brothers on their death anniversary by placing flowers on their statues on Scott Road in Madurai. Speaking to reporters after the tribute, he said, 'On the death anniversary of the Marudhu Pandiyar brothers, we resolve to make our party even stronger and take it forward on the path of development.'