TVK MLA Kanimozhi’s meeting with Coimbatore corporation officials at ‘astrology office’ sparks outrage

TVK MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh meeting officials of Coimbatore Corporation at his astrology office near Coimbatore on May 19, 2026. Source:X/Kanimozhi Santhosh

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA from Kavundampalayam Kanimozhi Santhosh’s meeting with Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation officials held at her astrological consultancy office on Monday drew widespread criticism.

Ms. Kanimozhi, who claims to have an honorary doctorate in astrology, told The Hindu that the corporation officials visited her voluntarily and she did not ask them to visit.

Photos of the meeting posted by the MLA on X showed her sitting on a designer couch resembling a throne and six officials on chairs. Several users criticized the way the meeting was held in a private location and the separate seating arrangements for the elected representative and government officials.

“Reach out to the public and hear their complaints first hand. Then meet the officials of the relevant departments,” the user commented.

The 37-year-old MLA, who also deals in tiles and granite, clarified in a video posted on X on Tuesday that the meeting was not held at her residence as many had criticized but at her astrological consultation office. The work of the MLA’s office is going on, she said.

Although Ms. Kanimozhi is heard in the same video saying that she had the officials come to her office, she denied to The Hindu that they visited her voluntarily.

Although Coimbatore Municipal Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabhakaran confirmed that all the officials pictured with Ms. Kanimozhi belonged to the civic body, he did not comment on whether it was necessary for them to have a meeting with the MLA at her astrology office.

Former legislator from Singanallur N. Karthik said the MLA could ideally meet government officials in any office of the government or civic body rather than at private places, if needed, except in emergency situations like natural disaster or disaster for quick coordination.

Published – 20 May 2026 0:18 IST