Periyar Arivulagam is Dravidian model government’s brainchild, says Stalin

File photo of DMK president M.K. Stalin | Photo Credit: The Hindu Ahead of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s inauguration of Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore on Friday (October 16, 2026), DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said true pride lay in planning and developing infrastructure projects rather than merely inaugurating them, adding that Periyar Arivulagam was the brainchild of the previous DMK government.“Following the Poonamallee–Vadapalani Metro rail corridor, another major project of our Dravidian model government is set to be dedicated to public use today…. My heart is filled with joy!” Mr. Stalin said in a statement, recalling the announcement of the project during his tenure as Chief Minister, the laying of its foundation stone, various aspects of the project and the state-of-the-art facilities available there.“When I visited Coimbatore in February this year, most of the work had been completed. When many suggested that it could be inaugurated then, I said there was no need to rush and that it could be opened once all the work was completed. What does it matter who inaugurates it? Is there any great pride in merely inaugurating something? Is it not the real pride in planning and developing something? That distinction belongs to the DMK in Tamil Nadu,” he said.Mr. Stalin also listed several library and other knowledge-centre projects undertaken by the DMK government, including the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai, Mudhalvar Padaippagams and the renovation of the Connemara Public Library in Egmore.He also said libraries announced during the DMK government, including the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Library in Tiruchi, the Quaid-e-Millath Library in Tirunelveli, Bharathidasan Arivulagam in Salem and Anjalai Ammal Arivulagam in Cuddalore, are in the final stages of completion and would be inaugurated soon.“The achievements of the Dravidian model government continue to shine every day, not only when we are in power but even when we are out of office,” he added. Published - October 16, 2026 09:01 am IST