CHENNAI – In a significant display of political etiquette, Tamil Nadu’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met with his predecessor and DMK chief MK Stalin today. The courtesy call follows a landmark election that saw Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) dismantle the decades-old duopoly of the DMK and AIADMK.
The meeting, held at Stalin’s residence in Alwarpet, was marked by a warm reception. Stalin and his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, welcomed the actor-turned-politician with hugs and handshakes, signaling a smooth transition of power despite a hard-fought campaign.
Advice from the Outgoing CM
While the meeting was largely ceremonial, Stalin offered several points of counsel to the 51-year-old leader:
-
Fiscal Responsibility: Stalin urged Vijay not to use the state’s debt as an excuse for inaction. “Don’t start saying right away that the government has no money… What’s needed is the will to give it to the people,” Stalin noted in a post on X.
-
Fulfilling Promises: He encouraged the new administration to focus on delivering the welfare schemes promised during the election rather than revisiting old budget debates.
-
Acknowledging Efforts: Stalin defended his government’s record, citing the management of COVID-19 and floods despite what he termed “neglect” from the Union government.
The “Common Man” at the Helm
Vijay, who took the oath of office yesterday at a grand ceremony in Chennai, has hit the ground running with a “secular and social justice” agenda.
-
Single Power Centre: In his first address, Vijay asserted that he would be the “only centre of power,” promising total accountability for his policies.
-
Transparency First: The new CM has already hinted at releasing a “white paper” on Tamil Nadu’s finances to ensure complete transparency before launching new major initiatives.
-
Coalition Strength: After a fractured verdict on May 4, Vijay successfully cobbled together a majority with support from the Congress, VCK, and Left parties, securing 120 seats in the 234-member assembly.
A Historic Shift
Vijay’s rise marks the first time in nearly 60 years that a leader outside the two major Dravidian giants has headed the state. As the “Thalapathy” of Tamil cinema transitions to the Chief Minister’s chair, the eyes of the nation are on his first 100 days—a period he has asked the public to use as a “reasonable time” to measure his performance.
