Chennai: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday warned the party’s MLAs to exercise caution while discharging their duties and avoid actions that may bring disrepute to the govt. TVK sources said Vijay has also issued a warning to Assembly deputy Speaker and Thuraiyur MLA M Ravishankar and Kallakurichi MLA C Arul Vignesh, who were caught in controversies.In a closed door meeting with TVK MLAs at a resort near Mamallapuram, marking the completion of TVK govt’s six months in office, Vijay urged them carry out constituency development works and maintain a good rapport with the people. This is the first such meeting of Vijay with MLAs.TVK sources said Vijay asked the MLAs to focus on addressing basic needs such as drinking water, sewage, transport, electricity and other civic amenities. People gave their mandate to TVK out of goodwill and without any expectations, Vijay said instructing them to fulfil the expectations of the public.Except for Kolathur MLA V S Babu, who has been hospitalised for over 50 days, and minister A Srinath, all other ministers and MLAs attended the meeting. Senior ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K A Sengottaiyan, K G Arunraj and CTR Nirmal Kumar were present alongside Vijay as passive observers. Vijay met the MLAs in batches of 10 to 15.Vijay sought updates on issues in the MLAs’ respective constituencies and noted down key concerns. He cautioned MLAs that political opponents were waiting for an opportunity to attack govt and asked them not to get “caught in the trap of opposition parties.”Vijay told the MLAs that the opposition was still working on dethroning this govt, said an MLA.“People are the masters, and we should remain cautious while discharging our duties. People will take care of our opponents,” an MLA from southern Tamil Nadu quoted Vijay as saying. Vijay also presented Deepavali gifts to the MLAs on the occasion.Sholinganallur MLA ECR P Saravanan told reporters while leaving the resort that Vijay extended them Diwali wishes.Anand and Arjuna addressed the MLAs ahead of Vijay’s arrival, alleging that the opposition was targeting the TVK even over minor issues, and asked the legislators to exercise caution and avoid speaking to the media unnecessarily. “The ministers said TVK would remain in power for two decades and urged the MLAs to fulfil the wishes of their constituents,” an MLA said.Earlier in the day, Vijay held a meeting with DGP Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Intelligence IG Asra Garg, chief secretary M Sai Kumar and home secretary A Karthik at the secretariat to review the law and order situation. The meeting comes in the wake of reports that the Union home ministry had sought a report from Governor R V Arlekar on the law and order situation in the state.
