This issue represents one of the first significant challenges for Chief Minister Joseph Vijay since taking office.
The controversy revolves around a government tender valued at ₹16.83 lakh for constructing an overhead water tank in Kancheepuram district. According to regulations, contractors were informed they could access details starting May 13; however, the actual tender was posted only at 9 am on May 18 and closed on the same day at 3 pm, allowing bidders a mere six hours to respond.
The bids were reportedly opened the following day at 4 pm. Shortly thereafter, screenshots of the tender specifications circulated widely on social media, triggering complaints about the unusually brief bidding period and a perceived lack of transparency.
The peculiar timeline led to criticism, prompting the government to cancel the tender within hours of its announcement.
DMK accuses government of ‘planned contract politics’
The DMK sharply criticized the ruling TVK government, asserting that the short timeline suggested that the contract process may have been manipulated to benefit a particular company.
DMK state deputy secretary Amutharasan questioned the urgency surrounding the tender and expressed discontent towards Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N Anand regarding the situation.
“This is not administrative speed; this is pre-planned contract politics,” Amutharasan remarked, highlighting how it was unrealistic for any contractor to prepare a detailed project report and complete all necessary formalities within just six hours.
“Minister N Anand (the TVK leader responsible for the Rural Development and Water Resources ministries) … why the rush on the very first day? Is this a ‘stamp of authority’ on an already predetermined contract? You, who sought the votes of the people of T Nagar (the constituency Anand won in last month’s election), are engaging in ‘crisis tender’ politics instead of ‘honesty’?” he added.
Reels ஆட்சியின் டெண்டர் மோசடி !!
அமைச்சராக பொறுப்பேற்ற 24 மணி நேரத்திற்குள் — அதுவும் வெறும் 6 மணி நேரத்தில் (காலை 9:00 இருந்து மதியம் 3:00 வரை) டெண்டர் கோரப்பட்டு, அது முடித்தும் வைக்கப்படுகிறது
இது நிர்வாக வேகம் அல்ல…
???? முன்கூட்டியே திட்டமிட்ட ஒப்பந்த அரசியல்!அமைச்சர்… pic.twitter.com/CeVqm7gXEt
— Tamil Ka.Amutharasan (@amutharasan_dmk) May 19, 2026
“This is not merely a suspicion— It is a direct allegation that malfeasance is taking place!” he posted on X.
Government scraps tender, suspends officials
As criticism mounted, the TVK government canceled the tender, citing “administrative reasons.” The administration also suspended two officials while an inquiry is conducted into the incident.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, Kayalvizhi, the assistant engineer of Kancheepuram panchayat union, and K Shanthi, the former block development officer (BDO) of Kancheepuram, currently posted in Walajabad Panchayat Union, have been suspended.
This controversy has increased pressure on the TVK government, which is still in its initial weeks after defeating the DMK in the recent Assembly elections.
The tender controversy marks the second significant issue faced by the Vijay-led administration since assuming power. Previously, the government drew criticism for appointing astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as an officer on special duty (political) to the chief minister.
This appointment led to backlash from opposition leaders as well as dissent from within political circles, prompting the government to revoke the order within 24 hours.
