Tamil Nadu Assembly sees war of words over 'G Square, lottery son-in-law' jibes

The exchange took place during a heated debate over the state government's decision to abandon the Parandur airport project. The discussion turned personal as the ruling TVK and DMK traded allegations over land transactions and alleged business interests surrounding the project.A war of words erupted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday over the scrapping of the proposed Parandur airport, with Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar invoking the phrase “G-Square Maapillai” and former minister and DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu hitting back with a “lottery son-in-law” jibe.The exchange took place during a heated debate over the state government's decision to abandon the Parandur greenfield airport project and identify an alternative site for Chennai's second airport. The discussion turned personal as the ruling TVK and Opposition DMK traded allegations over land transactions and alleged business interests surrounding the project.Nirmal Kumar defended the “G-Square son-in-law” remark after Opposition members objected and several legislators rose from their seats. “What is wrong with saying ‘G-Square son-in-law’? One of our members just said ‘G-Square son-in-law’. What mistake is there in that? Why is everyone standing up and shouting? This isn't a PT class for everyone to stand up like this,” Nirmal Kumar said.The Speaker intervened and asked the members to sit down and allow the debate to continue. Thennarasu then warned that if the minister wanted to take the debate to that level, the Opposition could respond in kind. “If the Minister wants to take the reply and debate to this level, I can also pay you back in the same currency,” Thennarasu said.He subsequently turned the jibe back on the ruling side, asking whether the government was bringing a new airport “for a lottery son-in-law”. “If you keep saying ‘G-Square son-in-law’, can't I ask whether you are bringing a new airport for a lottery son-in-law? Can I ask that? Should I ask? I'm asking,” Thennarasu said.WHAT DOES THE ‘G-SQUARE SON-IN-LAW’ JIBE MEAN?The “G-Square Maapillai” remark came as PWD and Highways Minister Aadhav Arjuna questioned land transactions around the proposed Parandur airport site.Arjuna alleged that realtors linked to a particular political party had purchased large parcels of land even before the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the airport was announced. He also claimed that a particular real-estate company had acquired land around Parandur and was involved in property-related activities in the area.The ruling side used these allegations to question whether certain interests stood to benefit from the proposed airport project. Nirmal Kumar's reference to “G-Square Maapillai” was a political jibe in that context and should not be read as an assertion of an actual family relationship.WHY THENNARASU SAID ‘LOTTERY SON-IN-LAW’Thennarasu's counter was directed at the ruling side, particularly Aadhav Arjuna, who is the son-in-law of businessman Santiago Martin, popularly known as the “Lottery King” because of his lottery business.Arjuna is a senior TVK leader and was among those who raised allegations over land transactions linked to the Parandur airport project. Thennarasu's “lottery son-in-law” remark was therefore a direct political response to Nirmal Kumar's “G-Square son-in-law” jibe.By asking whether the government was bringing a new airport “for a lottery son-in-law”, Thennarasu sought to turn the ruling side's allegations over alleged business and political connections back to Arjuna and his family background.PARANDUR AIRPORT ROWThe verbal duel came against the backdrop of the TVK government's decision to scrap the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project and search for an alternative location for Chennai's second airport.The government has cited concerns over agricultural land, environmental issues and the livelihoods of residents in the Parandur region. The DMK, which was in power when the project was pursued, has opposed the decision and defended the proposed airport.The dispute has since widened into a political battle over land acquisition, alleged real-estate interests and the beneficiaries of the proposed infrastructure project.- EndsWith inputs from PTIPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 25, 2026 22:07 IST