Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan on Thursday, 29 May firmly declared that the rights of the state would not be compromised under the newly formed TVK-led government, amid a political row over the authority to appoint Vice Chancellors to state-run universities. The clarification came after his remarks a day earlier in Madurai drew sharp criticism from multiple parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

What Triggered the Controversy

During an interaction on Wednesday, Viswanathan had reportedly stated that the new government was not obligated to continue every policy introduced by the previous administration — particularly those relating to the Chief Minister functioning as Chancellor of state universities. The remark was widely interpreted as a possible rollback of Tamil Nadu's long-standing position on state autonomy in higher education, prompting immediate pushback from opposition parties and alliance partners alike.

Minister's Clarification

Addressing reporters on Thursday, Viswanathan said his earlier comments had been misread. 'Our stand is very clear. The rights of the state are of utmost importance. As an MLA, as a Minister, and as a citizen of Tamil Nadu, I can assertively state that we will not compromise on this,' he said. He stressed that the government remained committed to protecting the constitutional and administrative powers of the state and had no intention of surrendering them.

Final Decision Rests with Chief Minister

Viswanathan clarified that the ultimate call on the Vice Chancellor appointment issue would be taken by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, following consultations with officials of the Higher Education Department and Cabinet colleagues. 'The Chief Minister will take a final call after detailed discussions with the department and other Ministers. What I made was only a general comment and not a response in any specific context,' he said.

Background: The VC Appointment Dispute

The controversy is rooted in amendments passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly during the previous DMK regime, which transferred the power to appoint Vice Chancellors from the Governor to the Chief Minister. The move was framed as part of the state's broader assertion of federal rights and autonomy — a politically sensitive issue that has defined Tamil Nadu's relationship with the Centre for years. Any perceived retreat from that position was bound to provoke reaction, particularly from parties that championed the original amendments.

TVK's Assurance on State Rights

Concluding his remarks, Viswanathan sought to draw a clear line: 'We are a new government. I do not want to go into the details of the issue now, but neither the Congress nor the TVK will ever surrender the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu.' The statement is notable for explicitly naming the Indian National Congress (Congress) alongside the TVK as co-guarantors of Tamil Nadu's autonomy, signalling the coalition's unified stance ahead of what is likely to be a protracted policy debate.