Governor R.V. Arlekar’s remarks in Madurai on the need to revive the Vaigai river have triggered a political exchange, with opposition and the state government trading sharp comments.
The Governor attended a private college event in Madurai and travelled from the airport via the Ring Road along the Vaigai’s banks. In his speech, he said he was surprised to see the riverbed without water and urged Madurai’s youth to take up cleaning and restoration efforts, adding that if no one stepped forward, Raj Bhavan would take the initiative.
After the event, he went to the Circuit House, where Collector Nishanth Krishna and other officials met him as a courtesy. Social media posts later claimed the Governor had conducted a review with the Collector on Vaigai restoration and government development schemes.
Based on those claims, Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi criticised the ruling party, calling for steps to stop what he described as the Governor’s “review” practice. In response, the district administration issued a late-night clarification stating that the Collector, Commissioner and SP had only met the Governor as a matter of protocol.
On Friday, Minister Nirmalkumar told reporters that the Governor’s interference in state administration was unnecessary and said officials need not attend any such reviews in future without the Chief Minister’s and ministers’ approval.
