All Tamil Nadu MLAs to get car and assistant for constituency work: CM Vijay in Assembly

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. File | Photo Credit: X/@CMOTamilnadu

All MLAs in Tamil Nadu will be provided with a car and an assistant to carry out constituency work efficiently without any laxity and ensure government schemes reach the people, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the Assembly on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).

Making a suo motu statement, he said ₹75,000 would be provided every month towards the maintenance of the car, fuel, and a driver. The monthly allowance for the assistant would be ₹25,000. “Necessary amendments will be made to the law and orders will be issued,” he said.

The announcement followed a request by L.E. Jothimani, representing the Kattumannarkoil Assembly constituency, who said on August 12 that many MLAs did not have cars and were unable to undertake constituency work and inspections. Mr. Jothimani, representing the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), also urged the government to fulfil the basic needs of MLAs so that they could ensure corruption-free governance and administration.

The Chief Minister also recalled Mr. Jothimani’s argument that MLAs without an economic or financial background were unable to afford an assistant and carry out constituency work. “There have also been representations in this regard. MLAs are one of the important pillars of democracy. There has been a substantial increase in the number of first-time MLAs who have no political or financial background and have been elected with the massive support of the people,” he said.

Mr. Vijay also said that when the MLA candidates of the TVK were introduced on March 29, 2026, they had taken a pledge to work with transparency and honesty and provide corruption-free administration. According to him, the elected members were following their pledge.

Contending the TVK government was providing honest and corruption-free governance for the benefit of people, particularly those at the lower rungs of society, Mr. Vijay said MLAs had to travel continuously as part of their constituency work. They should not have to depend on others for their work and should be able to function honestly in villages and remote areas, meet people, and address their grievances.

Mr. Vijay’s announcement evoked widespread appreciation in the Assembly, with TVK MLA K. Sindu, representing the Gudiyatham Assembly constituency, rendering an MGR film song to express her gratitude. She sang: “ Koduthathellam Koduthan, Avan Yarukkaka Koduthan; Orutharukka Koduthan, Illai, Oorukkaka Koduthan .” (He gave everything, for whom? Not just to one, he gave it to everyone.)

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