The opposition in the state on Friday criticized the Tamil Nadu government after it appointed Venkata Narayana K as special representative of the state government in New Delhi for a year.
According to an official statement issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, “Approval has been given for creation of a temporary post of Special Representative to the Government of Tamil Nadu for a period of one year with effect from the date on which the appointee takes charge.”
“The terms and conditions for the appointment of Venkata Narayana K as Special Representative of the Government of Tamil Nadu in New Delhi will be issued separately,” the statement read.
Narayana is the producer of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s latest film Jananayagan. Directed by H Vinoth, the film is produced by KVN Productions.
In May, Narayana attracted widespread attention when he was seen accompanying Joseph Vijay and senior party leaders to Lok Bhavan for a meeting with Governor Rajendra Arlikar, where TVK demanded formation of the government.
Dubbed as Vijay’s swansong, Jananayagan faced several delays in its release awaiting approval from the censor board. The film was later leaked online, resulting in a major setback for the production house.
The appointment drew sharp criticism from the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both of which questioned the selection, pointing out that Narayana hails from Karnataka.
DMK deputy general secretary “Tiruchi” Siva said it was “surprising and shocking” that Venkata Narayana, a Jananayagan producer and a person from Karnataka, was appointed as the Tamil Nadu government’s special representative in New Delhi.
“The question that arises is whether he will stand up, represent and vote in favor of the Mukkedatu dam issue for the benefit of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay loudly declared to the Assembly that his government will not succumb to Karnataka’s stand of building a new dam at Mukedatu across the Cauvery river, which will greatly impact the livelihood of farmers in the delta region,” said Siva, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP.
He added that since the special representative is originally from Karnataka, the public is waiting for an official clarification and assurances from the Tamil Nadu government.
The BJP described Narayana’s appointment as a “huge shock” and said it “raises various questions”.
“How can a person who has no connection with Tamil Nadu at all be appointed to such a crucial post which is supposed to act as a bridge between the central government and the Tamil Nadu government?” he asked. BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagendran said.
“How can someone who is completely unfamiliar with the Tamil mother tongue and our Tamil culture echo the thoughts of the Tamil people and the voice of the Tamil Nadu government in Delhi,” he asked in a social media post.
