Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nainar Nagendran on Saturday, 4 July demanded that the TVK-led coalition government release a white paper on the state's law and order situation, alleging a sharp rise in serious crimes since the new administration took office. Nagendran made the demand after meeting Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai, where the BJP submitted multiple memoranda seeking the Governor's intervention on governance concerns.

Crime Figures Cited by BJP

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Nagendran alleged that within the 54 days since the TVK government assumed office, Tamil Nadu had recorded 151 cases of sexual assault, more than 85 murders, and over 80 narcotics trafficking cases. He drew comparisons with the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) administration, claiming the change in government had brought no measurable improvement in public safety.

'The government cannot remain a silent spectator when allegations continue to emerge against those associated with the ruling party,' Nagendran said, calling on the administration to provide a transparent account of the crime situation.

What the BJP Memoranda Demanded

The BJP submitted two separate memoranda to the Governor. The first sought action over the alleged participation of two private individuals in the state Cabinet meeting held on 5 June. The second raised objections to the alleged conduct of Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan during a recent public function. Nagendran argued that just as the government had published white papers on other policy matters, it owed citizens similar transparency on law and order.

Fresh Allegations Against Cabinet Ministers

Nagendran also levelled allegations against Energy Resources and Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar, claiming the minister faced complaints over the appointment of government advocates. He further criticised the minister's reported remarks on implementing a court order related to the Tirupparankundram Deepam issue.

On the question of the Governor's constitutional authority, Nagendran rejected any suggestion that the Governor lacked the power to convene official review meetings, citing Article 167 of the Constitution, which empowers the Governor to seek information from the Chief Minister on matters of state administration.

Defection Allegations and Political Context

The BJP leader also accused the ruling party of attempting to engineer legislative defections, claiming that efforts at political horse-trading had begun even before the present government assumed office. The allegations add to a growing list of opposition charges against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, whom Nagendran accused of failing to act on complaints involving members of the ruling alliance.

With the opposition intensifying scrutiny on multiple fronts — crime statistics, Cabinet conduct, and constitutional propriety — the TVK government faces mounting pressure to address these charges publicly in the weeks ahead.