CHENNAI — The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has withdrawn a Rs 17 lakh procurement contract following objections raised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam over what the opposition party described as an unusually compressed tendering process lasting merely six hours, according to reports.
The controversy marks the second significant administrative challenge encountered by actor-turned-politician Vijay's administration in its early tenure. Previously, the appointment of an astrologer to the position of Officer on Special Duty had drawn widespread criticism from political observers and opposition parties, raising questions about governance priorities.
The DMK's intervention appears to have centered on procedural irregularities, with opposition leaders highlighting that the abbreviated tender timeline could have compromised transparency and fairness in the bidding process. Standard government procurement procedures typically mandate longer notice periods to ensure adequate competition and prevent favoritism.
Tamil Nadu has witnessed heightened political competition since Vijay's entry into electoral politics, with the established Dravidian parties closely monitoring the new administration's actions. The swift reversal of the tender decision suggests sensitivity to procedural compliance amid intense political scrutiny in the state.