No outsiders attended TN Cabinet meetings, says Minister Vanni Arasu

Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu has said that no outsiders attended the first Cabinet meeting of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government, dismissing allegations that John Arokiasamy and Vishnu Reddy were present. 'I was at that meeting. Officials, including the Chief Secretary, read out the agenda and left. Only the Ministers were seated,' he told The Hindu.

Mr Arasu also defended the renaming of the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department as the Social Justice Department, a move opposed by the VCK's D Ravikumar. The Minister said the change was announced on his swearing-in day and his party leader's decision would be final. On honour killings, he said a decision will follow the K N Basha Commission report, which has sought nine more months. The request has been sent to the Chief Minister. 'The police must be guided by law, not caste. If they act on law, three-fourths of problems will be resolved,' he added.