AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has strongly criticized the TVK government’s proposal to build a new Assembly-Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam. Speaking on September 11, 2026, Palaniswami said the project was unnecessary, especially at a time when Tamil Nadu is facing serious financial pressure and a growing debt burden.
Palaniswami questioned the government’s decision to spend around ₹1,200 crore on the proposed complex. He said the government should give priority to urgent public issues instead of taking up an expensive construction project. According to him, the state has several important problems that require immediate attention and financial support.
He pointed to the difficulties faced by farmers and other sections of society. He argued that government funds could be used more effectively to address problems related to agriculture, welfare, public services and the daily needs of people.
Another major concern raised by Palaniswami was the location of the proposed complex. He said Pattinapakkam is already a busy and congested area. The presence of residential neighbourhoods, schools, fishing communities and heavy traffic could create additional problems if a large government complex is built there.
He warned that the movement of ministers, officials, employees and visitors to the new Assembly-Secretariat could increase traffic pressure in the area. This could also affect people who live and work in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Palaniswami also referred to plans made by former leaders M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. He said earlier proposals for government complexes had considered locations where there was more space and fewer traffic-related problems. He suggested that the government should look at alternative locations instead of moving ahead with the Pattinapakkam proposal.
The AIADMK leader clarified that his criticism was not an objection to the idea of having a new Assembly-Secretariat complex itself. Instead, he said the timing, cost and location of the project needed to be reconsidered.
He argued that the government should first improve the state’s financial position before committing such a large amount of money to a new construction project. He said spending ₹1,200 crore during a period of financial difficulty could place additional pressure on the state’s finances.
Palaniswami therefore urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to reconsider and drop the present proposal. He called on the government to focus on issues that directly affect people and to use public funds carefully.
The proposal is likely to remain a subject of political debate, with questions expected over the project’s cost, location, traffic impact and financial priorities. The government will have to address these concerns as discussions over the proposed Assembly-Secretariat complex continue.