Mutual dislike and antagonism between the AIADMK and DMK leadership extends well beyond the political domain. But this time it has reached another level after newly appointed chief minister J. Jayalalithaa gave a costly snub to her archrival by shifting the seat of power back to the historic 17th century Fort St George.
In the process she dumped the secretariat-cum-assembly complex in Anna Salai from where M. Karunanidhi was running the government. It has now put a question mark on the fate of the Rs 1,200 crore complex, touted as a green legislature in Asia.
Jayalalithaa defended her decision to steer clear of the new complex, saying: " Government cannot function from an incomplete complex. It would require months to complete it. Government cannot wait till then." But there are rumours that she had been advised by astrologers against stepping inside the new complex as it could bring misfortune.
The first session of the assembly is scheduled to commence on May 23 at the old seat of power and the public works department is racing against time to make it ready.
Ironically, it was Jayalalithaa who had first come out with a proposal to shift the assembly to a more spacious place. The Anna University campus in Guindy was identified for the new complex and a foundation stone-laying ceremony was conducted too.
But after she lost power, Karunanidhi hijacked the project and decided to build the complex at Omandurar Government Estate in Anna Salai.
Designed by German architects, the cost touched Rs 1,200 crore though the initial estimate was Rs 450 crore. The octogenarian had then faced criticism for diverting funds earmarked for the SC/ STs.
What had also come as a surprise was the haste and secrecy with which the work was carried out
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