TVK MLA ECR Saravanan is facing criticism over the installation of posters and banners across the Sholinganallur constituency, particularly at traffic bottlenecks, with residents alleging that the displays are causing inconvenience to the public. The issue has also drawn attention on social media, where several users have questioned the large-scale publicity campaign, as reported in Vikatan.
According to party sources, Saravanan’s penchant for self-promotion has long been a subject of discontent within the TVK. Having been associated with Vijay since the fan club days, Saravanan is said to enjoy the confidence of the leadership, but many within the party are reportedly uncomfortable with what they describe as his excessive focus on publicity.
Sources claimed that even routine welfare activities are turned into publicity exercises. They alleged that distributing a single ₹10 milk packet to flood victims would be followed by dozens of social media reels, despite repeated advice from party colleagues that such behaviour was damaging the party’s public image.
Party insiders further recalled that when Saravanan was appointed district secretary about a year ago, he celebrated the appointment with an elaborate roadshow after collecting his appointment order from the party headquarters in Panaiyur. According to them, around 500 supporters participated in the procession, with Saravanan travelling atop a car from Panaiyur to Injambakkam while rose petals were showered using bulldozers at multiple locations along the route. The celebration allegedly resulted in nearly two hours of traffic congestion on East Coast Road. Although complaints reportedly reached the party leadership and Saravanan was reprimanded, sources claimed that his style of functioning remained unchanged.
Sources also claimed that Saravanan believed winning the sprawling Sholinganallur constituency would pave the way for a cabinet berth after the TVK formed the government. However, he was reportedly disappointed when he was left out of the ministry.
According to party insiders, on the day Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister, Saravanan expressed his disappointment to TVK General Secretary Bussy Anand over not being included in the cabinet. They claimed that Anand merely assured him that he would convey the matter to the Chief Minister, after which the issue did not progress further.
With speculation doing the rounds in political circles about a possible cabinet reshuffle in the coming months, including the possibility of some ministers being dropped, sources alleged that Saravanan has intensified his publicity campaign in the hope of improving his chances of securing a ministerial berth.
According to party insiders, congratulatory posters and banners featuring the Chief Minister have been put up from Panaiyur and Neelangarai to Thiruvanmiyur so that they remain visible to Vijay during his commute. They further alleged that this was being done despite explicit instructions from the party leadership that banners and posters should not inconvenience the public.
Sources alleged that Saravanan’s political strategy revolves almost entirely around posters, banners and social media reels, and that he believes sustained publicity could help him secure a place in the cabinet. However, they claimed that the party leadership remains wary, fearing that elevating him to the ministry could damage the party’s image, particularly in the constituency where the Chief Minister himself resides.
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