Chennai, 30 Oct (H.S.):

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay garlanded the statue of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at Nandanam in Chennai on Friday, marking the leader’s birth anniversary and annual Guru Puja amid speculation over a possible visit to his memorial at Pasumpon.

After paying floral tributes, the Chief Minister briefly interacted with people who had gathered at the venue. His appearance in Chennai followed discussions in political circles over whether he would attend the commemorative ceremonies in southern Tamil Nadu.

Thevar’s 119th birth anniversary and 64th Guru Puja are being observed on October 30. The annual commemoration draws leaders from across Tamil Nadu’s political spectrum, with many travelling to Pasumpon to offer tributes at his memorial.

In the days preceding the occasion, speculation had grown that Vijay would visit Pasumpon for the first time since assuming office as Chief Minister following his party’s Assembly election victory. However, there had been no official confirmation of such a visit.

Neither the Chief Minister’s itinerary nor an announcement from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had confirmed his participation in the Pasumpon ceremonies. His tribute at Nandanam therefore came against a backdrop of expectations rather than a formally announced programme at the memorial.

Meanwhile, Minister Nirmal Kumar garlanded Muthuramalinga Thevar’s statue in Madurai on Friday morning. He was subsequently expected to travel to Pasumpon and pay homage at the memorial, although details of that visit were not immediately available.

The annual observance remains a significant occasion in Tamil Nadu’s political calendar, bringing together political representatives, community organisations and members of the public.

While Vijay’s Chennai appearance attracted attention amid expectations of a southern visit, there was no official statement explaining his choice of venue or confirming whether he would travel to Pasumpon later. His participation on Friday morning was confined to the tribute at Nandanam.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman