Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Inaugurates ₹300-Crore Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated Periyar Arivulagam, a library and science centre built at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore, in Coimbatore on Friday. He is scheduled to visit the facility’s digital library and planetarium before travelling to Thrissur in neighbouring Kerala to attend a Navaratri event.
The inauguration marks a major addition to Coimbatore’s educational and public infrastructure. Vijay is also scheduled to launch several government projects during his visit.
Security was tightened at Coimbatore airport and along the route to the centre ahead of the Chief Minister’s arrival from Chennai. Police personnel and sniffer dog teams were deployed, while barricades were erected along roads in anticipation of a possible roadshow.
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After completing the government programme, Vijay is expected to travel by helicopter to Thrissur. A helipad has been established at PRS Grounds on Coimbatore-Avinashi Road for his departure. He is scheduled to return to Coimbatore after the event before leaving for Chennai.
TVK JOINS CONGRESS-LED PROTEST
The inauguration comes a day after Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) joined a Congress-led protest in Chennai against alleged electoral roll irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
The “Protect Democracy” agitation, led by Congress MP B Manickam Tagore and the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, sought the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders from all seven constituent parties participated in the protest.
The demonstration marked TVK’s first participation in a campaign seeking the CEC’s removal since the party joined the INDIA bloc on October 3.
Among those present were TVK leader and School Education Minister A Rajmohan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and MP Thol Thirumavalavan, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko.
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The Special Intensive Revision is an Election Commission exercise to verify and update electoral rolls. The process has triggered opposition protests, with parties raising concerns about alleged irregularities and the potential exclusion of eligible voters.
The Congress and its allies have demanded greater accountability from the poll body and sought the CEC’s removal, while the Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revisions are intended to improve the accuracy of voter lists.
TVK’s participation in the protest signals its involvement in the INDIA bloc’s campaign on the issue, even as Vijay continues his official engagements as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
With inputs from ANI