CPI(M) leader Shanmugam urges Tamil Nadu government to convene all-party meeting on new Secretariat site selection

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CPI(M) leader P. Shanmugam. FileTHE HINDU | Photo Credit: M. Srinath

Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Friday (September 11, 2026) said the Tamil Nadu government had hurriedly issued a Government Order for the construction of a new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam (Foreshore Estate) in Chennai. He demanded that an all-party meeting be convened to seek the views of all political parties and arrive at a consensus on selecting a suitable location.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Mr. Shanmugam said there was no denying that the existing Secretariat was facing space constraints. However, the government should not act in haste while planning to construct an administrative headquarters and Assembly complex, he said.

Mr. Shanmugam said the fishing community living in the area, close to the identified location in Pattinapakkam, had been opposing the proposal to construct the new Secretariat there. The Tamil Nadu government should listen to the concerns of the fisherfolk.

With several government offices already functioning in the central parts of Chennai, shifting the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly to the outskirts of the city, as suggested by some political parties, would not be appropriate, he said.

“Various political parties have been expressing their views on where the Secretariat should be located. The State government should immediately convene an all-party meeting and seek the views of all political parties in order to arrive at a consensus,” he said.

Mr. Shanmugam urged the Tamil Nadu government not to commence any construction work at the site currently selected for the new Secretariat until a consensus was reached on its location.

To a question on the CPI(M)’s position on the upcoming Assembly bypolls to Madurantakam and Dharapuram, Mr. Shanmugam said the State committee meeting of the party would be held on Saturday (September 12) and the party’s stand would be announced after discussions at the meeting.

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The Tamil Nadu government should immediately take action against the police, revenue, and prohibition enforcement officials named in the report of the Justice B. Gokuldas Commission, constituted by the State government to inquire into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, he said.

Mr. Shanmugam also pointed out that private omnibus operators continued to indulge in overcharging which causes severe hardship to people travelling to their hometowns during long holidays. The Tamil Nadu government should intervene immediately and take action to address the issue, he added.

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