Chennai’s Secretariat has been witnessing rising crowds as supporters of TVK gather in large numbers, leading to congestion and pushing incidents near ministers’ chambers, according to officials.
TVK assumed office on May 10, and with local body elections expected next year, party functionaries are showing early interest in contesting. District-level organisers are reportedly bringing members of the public to the Secretariat by bus, train and car, saying petitions submitted to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell and ministers would get their demands addressed.
Apart from petition submissions, supporters are also visiting ministers with groups of followers to “get things done” and to seek party posts. This, officials said, has increased crowding at the Secretariat day by day.
Officials also pointed to parking disruptions. Vehicles belonging to Secretariat staff, officers and MLAs are meant to be parked in the designated area opposite the complex, but visitors are said to leave cars haphazardly, making it difficult for officials to retrieve their vehicles.
The rush to meet ministers reportedly begins around 10 am and continues beyond 5 pm, resulting in jostling near offices. Secretariat officials suggested that ministers could hold district-level camps to receive petitions, and that the public could be allowed to use e-Sevai centres at MLA offices free of cost to submit complaints to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell.
