This Article is From Jul 23, 2010

The politics of buildings in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: When amma proposes ayya disposes, that's the dravidian drama in Tamil Nadu politics. So when Jayalalithaa wanted to demolish the heritage 96-year-old Queen Mary's College six years ago, to make way for the new secretariat, the DMK, the opposition then scuttled her attempts.

MK Stalin was put behind bars for trespassing into the college. But, the DMK in power now, is building on the same campus and naming it after Karunanidhi.

"The facilities here are not adequate enough for students. This new building will provide a conducive atmosphere for education," said M Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

Karunanidhi may have spent over Rs 400 crore for his dream project - the new secretariat - but Jayalalithaa has already said she will not use it if she is elected again.

"We will form our new government at Fort St. George," said J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK Chief.

To make sure that does not happen, the ruling DMK is already converting the old secretariat, Fort St George, into a Tamil classics library. Caught in the political crossfire are government employees, who don't know where their office will be.
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