A political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay appointed film producer K. Venkata Narayana as the state’s Special Representative to the central government in New Delhi. Opposition parties, including the DMK, AIADMK and BJP, have criticised the decision, particularly because Narayana hails from Karnataka.
Narayana, a chartered accountant and law graduate, is the chairperson of Bengaluru-based KVN Productions. He is also a co-producer of Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan.
DMK MP Kanimozhi questioned whether the ruling TVK government lacked suitable candidates within Tamil Nadu for the post. “In a government-level role that requires a voice in Delhi to advocate for Tamil Nadu’s rights—a position equivalent to that of a Minister—the TVK leadership has appointed someone from Karnataka,” she said.
Kanimozhi also raised concerns over whether Narayana would be able to effectively represent Tamil Nadu’s interests in disputes such as the Mekedatu dam issue, over which Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have long been at odds.
DMK leader Tiruchy Siva also sought clarification from the government, pointing to the chief minister’s earlier firm stance against Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery river.
“CM Joseph Vijay has proclaimed loudly on the floor of the Assembly that his government will not yield to Karnataka’s stand on constructing a new dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river, which would drastically affect the livelihood of farmers in the delta region. Now clarification and assurance from the government of Tamil Nadu is awaited,” Siva posted on X.
The AIADMK went further, calling the Vijay-led administration a “proxy government” of the Congress-led Karnataka government, and questioned how someone from another state could safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests in the Mekedatu dispute.
BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran also criticised the appointment, alleging that the government had chosen someone unfamiliar with Tamil language and culture.
“How can someone who has no connection with Tamil Nadu be appointed to the important responsibility of acting as a bridge between the Central government and Tamil Nadu government? How can someone who does not fully know our mother tongue Tamil and our Tamil culture echo the thoughts of the people of Tamil Nadu and the voice of the Tamil Nadu government in Delhi?” he said on X.
According to a government order, the Special Representative to the Government of Tamil Nadu in New Delhi will serve for a period of one year from the date of assuming office, or until the post is no longer required, whichever is earlier.
