A few weeks ago, when issues concerning the Members of Legislative Assembly were deliberated in the House, Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan rejected a suggestion by a member for holding sittings in Udhagamandalam. He also recalled how his party, the DMK, had opposed such a move in the past (in 1959).
In 1959, the State legislature was bi-cameral. While the Assembly met in Udhagamandalam for 10 days, from April 20, the Legislative Council transacted its business during May 4-9. The Arranmore Palace, now called Tamizhagam guesthouse, accommodated the two Houses.
What was not much known was the Jodhpur connection with the historic building. It was built in 1925, when Hanwant Singh was the Maharajah of Jodhpur, as a retreat. Spread over 36 acres, with lush lawns and gardens (now maintained by the Horticulture Department), the structure has four suites, 35 rooms and one dormitory. Besides, it has two conference halls — the small one with a seating capacity of 30 and the big with the capacity of 200.
