CHENNAI: Even though L Murugan has become a Union Minister, his parents, Lokanathan and Varudammal, are busy farming and doing labour works. They are not overjoyed by the fact that their son is the Union Minister.

The couple lives in an asbestos-roofed shed in Namakkal and earns their daily bread by doing farming and other labour works. They were busy working on a farm when they learnt about their son becoming a Union Minister.

The couple's younger son died 5 years ago. Now, Lokanathan and Varudammal are looking after his wife and children. Lokanathan had borrowed money for Murugan's education.

"Although Murugan often forces us to go to Chennai and stay with him, we have accepted the invitation only on rare occasions," Varudammal said.

Palaniswami, the landlord, also testified that the lives of Lokanathan and Varudammal have not changed since their son became a minister.