Stalin warns of massive protest over proposed Tamil Nadu Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam

Representatives of fishermen’s organisations met DMK president M.K. Stalin and sought his support over the location of the new Secretariat complex | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday (September 21, 2026) warned that his party would join hands with fishermen’s organisations and launch a massive protest if the State government remained “arrogant” and went ahead with its proposal to construct a new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam, a coastal habitat, in Chennai.In a statement, he said the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government should pay heed to the “cry of fishermen” and withdraw the order for constructing the new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam. “Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay should openly announce the government’s decision and construct houses for the fishermen in the area,” he said, after representatives of fishermen’s organisations met him and sought his support.Mr. Stalin said the TVK government’s “unilateral decision” to construct a new Secretariat, “which would destroy the habitation and livelihood of fishermen,” was condemnable. “The DMK will stand by the fishermen until the government withdraws its order,” he said.‘Other options available’Mr. Stalin said there were several places where a new Secretariat could be constructed. “The Omandurar Government Estate, where a new Secretariat was constructed [during the Karunanidhi regime], is also available. If necessary, the superspeciality hospital could be shifted to another location and the premises could be used as a Secretariat. But there are reports that the government has chosen Pattinapakkam because astrologers have advised that the Chief Minister’s office should face the sea,” he said.The former Chief Minister said destroying the livelihood of thousands of fishermen to fulfil the desire of one individual could not be accepted. “Moreover, the area chosen by the government is surrounded by several schools and is already facing severe traffic congestion. A new Secretariat there will cause hardship to people and students,” he said.Mr. Stalin said he thought the proposal would not materialise as the two Communist parties extending outside support to the government were opposing it. “But it is shocking that the TVK government is stubborn in its stand. The government has created a situation in which the DMK will join the protest intensively,” he said.Reacting to PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna’s claim that the government had ordered only the preparation of a detailed project report and no final decision had been taken on the issue, Mr. Stalin said it amounted to “deceiving the people,” as the government had already issued an order for the new Secretariat. Published - September 21, 2026 01:00 pm IST