The role of Jananayagan producer Venkata Narayana K. as the State’s Delhi Special Representative is only to convey the views of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and not express his personal opinions, said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan in Coimbatore on Sunday (June 28, 2026).

A film producer was also a citizen of the country and there was no reason to question the appointment, he said regarding criticism over appointing a person from another State as the Tamil Nadu government’s Delhi Special Representative. Former Union Minister Thirunavukkarasar had once been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh and nobody had questioned that decision, he added.

On the Mekedatu project, the Minister said there were differing opinions on whether the issue should be resolved through direct talks or legal means, and the Chief Minister would decide the appropriate course of action. The BJP should have resolved the Cauvery dispute when it was in power both at the Centre and in Karnataka, he said.

Asked about BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan’s allegation that the TVK was indulging in horse-trading, the Minister rejected the charge, saying similar political developments had taken place under the BJP, citing the change of government in Maharashtra. Similarly, leaders from other parties had joined the DMK after resigning from their previous parties and had subsequently been given election tickets. Describing the allegation as “mere wordplay”, he said, “We need 120 MLAs, and we have them. There is no shortage.”

Rejecting demands for a white paper on the Revenue Department, the Minister said there was no need for one.

On infrastructure projects, Mr. Sengottaiyan said around 10 acre were yet to be acquired for the expansion of Coimbatore airport. Land acquisition remained a challenge in the city, including for the proposed AIIMS hospital. While the State government was keen on establishing an airport at Hosur, the Centre had not granted approval, and efforts were also under way to expand the runway at Salem airport, he said.

He said the government was preparing plans to provide alternative land to people occupying categories of government land and reiterated that welfare schemes for economically weaker sections would continue.