Ruling alliance to adopt coalition name on September 9: Tamil Nadu Minister Arunraj

Chennai: The ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu will officially adopt a unified coalition name during a scheduled meeting on September 9 to establish a distinct political identity, state Health Minister K G Arunraj announced on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters here, the minister said, "We'll give a name, as our alliance partners are requesting it. We need to have an identity and build on it." Addressing recent criticisms from the Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin regarding law and order, Arunraj assured that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would deliver a comprehensive reply in the Assembly.

"Our honorable CM will definitely answer all these questions and will also answer to the people," he said, dismissing the opposition's remarks as an attempt to "score some brownie points" using "few punch dialogues" that were "totally disconnected with the feelings of the people".


The minister countered the DMK's allegations by pointing to their previous tenure, asserting that "one of the main reasons why the DMK lost is because of their improper and very poor handling of law and order situation".

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He noted that the previous administration "couldn't even appoint a regular DGP," contrasting it with the current government's swift appointment of a police chief, the establishment of a special task force for women's safety, and proactive measures to tackle the "drug menace".

On the infrastructure front, Arunraj provided an update on the proposed second airport for the city. "We are in the process of finding an alternative site. So, definitely we are not against the second Greenfield Airport for Chennai," he said.

He emphasised that the government was only opposed to the previous "choice of location and the due process not being followed in the selection of that site".

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Additionally, the minister said the CM's upcoming official trip to London, stating it is "going to attract investments, including in sports infrastructure to give a fillip to sports facilities here".