DMK chief MK Stalin congratulated Vijay and also welcomed the announcements he made immediately after assuming office.
When TVK chief Joseph Vijay took oath as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister on Sunday morning, it was followed by a brief message and advice from his predecessor, MK Stalin. DMK chief Stalin congratulated him and welcomed the announcements he made immediately after assuming office.
But Stalin was quick to follow some advice, especially regarding state financing.
“Do not start saying right away that the government does not have the money. It already has it. What we need is the will to give it to the people, and the ability to govern,” Stalin said in a post on the X website.
Stalin came forward and mentioned Vijay’s speech at the swearing-in ceremony, where he said, “The previous government left behind a debt of Rs 10,000 crore and emptied the exchequer.”
“Tamil Nadu’s debt level is within permissible limits,” Stalin replied.
He further added that his government had, for five years, implemented “countless social welfare schemes” even as the state struggled with hurdles like the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, and “neglect” from the BJP-led central government.
“Don’t fool people”
Continuing his message, Stalin said that his government had “clearly explained” the financial position of the Tamil Nadu government in the February budget.
“Didn’t you know that? Only after that did you make different promises to the people? Don’t deceive the people who voted for you again and try to twist the issue!” Stalin wrote.
Finally Vijay took oath as CM
After a week-long struggle to get a majority, Vijay was finally able to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, after the VCK and IUML extended unconditional support to TVK on Saturday.
Vijay’s path to success was not easy, although his party made an excellent showing and emerged as the largest party with 108 seats.
However, TVK fell short of the required mark of 118 seats needed to form a stable government. Congress offered support through its five multilateral agreements on Wednesday. In the next few days, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and CPI(M) also extended support with two MLAs each. The governor remains unconvinced, as the number is still far from 118.
On Saturday, the IUML and VCK finally supported Vijay with two MLAs each, ending the suspense. Vijay later met Governor R V Arlikar, who appointed him Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and handed him an offer letter.
Vijay took oath at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai at 10 am on Sunday, in the presence of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Vijay’s parents, SA Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar, and several personalities from the Tamil film industry were also present.
What Vijay said in his first speech as CM
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Vijay said that a new era of the regime committed to “true secularism and social justice” had begun.
He stressed that there would be no centers of power other than him, and stressed that he would be the only center of power.
He thanked the Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties for extending support to his party in forming the government.
He especially thanked the children and said that TVK’s victory was thanks to them, as they convinced their families to vote for his party.
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