Annamalai Criticizes Vijay for Igniting Controversy Over Parandur Airport

Chennai, Jan 21 (NationPress) The president of Tamil Nadu BJP, K. Annamalai, has accused Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay of “adding fuel to the fire” with his remarks regarding the Parandur airport issue.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Annamalai stated, “Before PM Modi came to power, there were only 73 airports in India in 2014. Today, the number of airports has gone up to 158.”

The BJP leader pointed out that Chennai Airport occupies just 1,000 acres, while Delhi and Hyderabad airports span 5,000 acres each, and Bengaluru Airport covers over 4,000 acres. Currently, Chennai Airport manages 25 million passengers yearly, with projections indicating this could rise to 100 million in the next decade.

Annamalai emphasized that both DMK and AIADMK governments have been advocating for a larger airport near Chennai for years, noting that both administrations had included Parandur as a viable site for the project.

“The decision to shortlist Parandur was not made by the Centre. If Vijay wishes to be a responsible politician, he should propose a more suitable location instead,” Annamalai remarked.

The BJP leader stressed that establishing an airport near Chennai necessitates at least 3,000 acres of land. He urged Vijay to offer constructive solutions rather than merely questioning the project. “Only those who tackle issues constructively and propose solutions can be deemed good politicians. Will Vijay fan the flames or extinguish them by suggesting solutions?” Annamalai questioned.

He also clarified that blaming the Central government for the situation is unwarranted.

On Monday, Vijay expressed his solidarity with farmers protesting against the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project. While addressing the villagers, Vijay criticized the ruling DMK government for its decision to implement the project, pledging to support the farmers until the end.

Vijay, who has shifted from cinema to politics, underscored the significance of farmers to the nation, stating that his participation in the protest marks the beginning of his “field politics.”

He clarified that he does not oppose development or the construction of a new airport, but strongly opposes the selection of fertile farmland for the project. The TVK leader questioned the DMK government's contradictory stance on developmental initiatives. Referring to the party's previous opposition to the Tungsten project, Vijay asked why it now backs the Parandur airport project.

Without explicitly naming the DMK, Vijay criticized its leadership for opposing projects like the eight-lane expressway while in opposition but neglecting farmers' concerns upon assuming power.

He accused the DMK government of being “anti-people” for pursuing the airport project, which he claimed would decimate 90 percent of the farmlands and water bodies in the proposed area.

Vijay also alleged that the ruling government has vested interests in the project, hinting at potential personal benefits.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthugai dismissed Vijay's visit to Parandur as inconsequential. During Vijay's visit, several farmers and children awaited his arrival, holding bundles of paddy crops as symbols of their struggle.

One farmer presented Vijay with a bundle of paddy after his speech.

Social activists have also raised alarms about the environmental repercussions of the Parandur airport project. They warned that the proposed land acquisition would impact over 13 water resources in the vicinity.

The Parandur airport project, projected to cost Rs 32,704 crore, requires 2,171 hectares of land, which includes 1,386.43 hectares of agricultural land, 577 hectares of water bodies, and 173 hectares of government land (poromboke).