A war of words broke out between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday over the State government’s decision to scrap the proposed Parandur Greenfield International Airport, as reported in ANI.
The verbal clash erupted after Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar referred to “G-Square Mappillai” while defending the government’s decision to abandon the project.
Responding to AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami on the status of land acquired for the proposed airport, Nirmal Kumar said only around 1,700 acres had been acquired and rejected DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu’s claim that 90% of the land had been acquired.
Nirmal Kumar also alleged that the Parandur project had been surrounded by misinformation, particularly claims that environmental clearance had already been obtained.
He said, “However, there has been a lot of misinformation regarding the current project—specifically, claims that environmental clearance has been obtained, which is not the case. Environmental clearance has not been secured; in fact, an Environmental Impact Assessment has not even been conducted. Without such an assessment, obtaining environmental clearance is impossible, and indeed, no such clearance has been obtained to date. The site contains numerous water bodies. This is the primary reason why the project, initiated five years ago during the AIADMK regime, has remained stalled without any progress: the land consists largely of water bodies and agricultural land capable of yielding three crops a year.”
He then targeted those opposing the scrapping of the project, alleging that their concerns were linked to investments in the area.
“If you look at everyone who is currently wailing and fretting over this, it is solely for the sake of ‘GSquare Mappillai’ or those who invested their black money in it—and certainly not for anyone else. This has been done strictly with the farmers in mind—exclusively for them, and for no one else. What is wrong with calling him “G-Square Mappillai” (G-Square Son-in-law)? The whole town called him that; what is wrong with it? This isn’t a PT class for standing up and sitting down repeatedly.”
The remarks triggered a sharp response from former DMK minister and MLA Thangam Thennarasu.
Taking a dig at the TVK government, Thennarasu said, “If you are going to use terms like “G-Square Mappillai,” can I ask for which “Lottery Son-in-law” you were trying to establish a new airport? Shall I ask? I am asking.”
The exchange comes days after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced in the Assembly under Rule 110 that the proposed Parandur airport project would be scrapped and that an alternative location would be identified.
Vijay cited environmental concerns, agricultural land and the impact on local livelihoods while announcing the decision. He maintained that Chennai needs a second airport to meet its future passenger, industrial and cargo requirements, but argued that the project should not come at the cost of local communities.
The Chief Minister had earlier visited Ekanapuram and surrounding villages on 20 January 2025 and met residents protesting against the proposed airport.
The Parandur project had received in-principle approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry in April 2025. The proposed airport was intended to address Chennai’s growing passenger and cargo traffic.
Following the decision to scrap the project, the State government said alternative sites would be identified in consultation with experts, following which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) would conduct feasibility studies.
The DMK has criticised the decision. DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin described the scrapping of the project as an “irreversible setback” to Tamil Nadu’s growth.
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