‘Govt not behind shifting of Sivaji statue’

“A public interest litigation was filed in the court claiming that the statue was obstructing traffic. Based on the court’s direction, the statue was shifted to the newly constructed memorial. The assembly witnessed several debates regarding the issue even when late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was there,” the minister said, after paying tribute to the legendary actor. 

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam along with several other ministers also paid their homage to Sivaji. 

The land for the Sivaji memorial was allotted by Jayalalithaa in 2004. After coming to power in 2011, she sanctioned Rs 2.34 crore for its construction, Raju said.

A photo exhibition of the late actor was inaugurated on Monday. A light show on the lines of the facility at the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal would be setup at the memorial, the minister added. 

Addressing the media, Actor Prabhu thanked the State government for celebrating the birth anniversary of his father as government function and added that the State government had assured him that the name of former DMK president M Karunanidhi would be inscribed in the statue of his father.