Chennai: Battled by criticism that he’s “simply an actor” and that his Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) is simply an actor’s social gathering, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday detailed within the state meeting how he fought for actual causes just like the Sri Lankan Tamils in 2008, supported fishermen and supported jallikattu in 2011.
He was giving his first detailed speech within the state Home on Tuesday throughout a movement of thanks for the governor’s tackle. He accused the earlier DMK authorities of corruption and poor legislation and order, and DMK leaders walked out of the meeting.
He mentioned the DMK collected cash within the title of social gathering funds. “We are going to by no means plunder public funds. All instances of corruption that come to gentle will probably be pursued and we is not going to tolerate these concerned.” He additionally imitated a hand gesture that went viral in reference to former chief minister MK Stalin, which was broadly interpreted as “throughout” after DMK MPs walked out.
Stalin had used this gesture whereas leaving the DMK headquarters after seat-sharing talks with the Congress forward of the meeting elections.
Strictly criticizing the DMK’s dynastic politics, Mr. Vijay mentioned, “In 1967, Anna established a authorities for the widespread folks. In 1977, MGR established a authorities for the widespread folks. Now in 2026, Vijay’s authorities is for the widespread folks. Our politics doesn’t deal with one household, however on every household in Tamil Nadu.”
Alleging corruption throughout the earlier authorities, he mentioned, “The TVK authorities is aware of how you can serve the folks, however we have no idea how you can siphon public funds. We have no idea how you can plunder temple funds, we have no idea how you can switch authorities revenues to non-public coffers, we have no idea how you can promote drug tradition.” He contrasted this with previous misconduct equivalent to bribery for transfers, promotions and corruption in varied fields.
Highlighting the electoral success of TVK regardless of the challenges, Mr. Vijay claimed that the DMK had let go of alliance companions to assist TVK kind the federal government, however mentioned the federal government was fashioned solely due to the assist of the folks and allies. “They are saying the Communist Occasion of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League took their very own determination, however they accuse us of sending them and bringing them.”
Relating to the DMK elevating legislation and order points within the state, he mentioned the federal government was taking all steps to guard girls. He accused the DMK of politicizing the difficulty. “When opposition members elevate these legislation and order points, it does not appear to return from a real concern. As an alternative, it seems to be like blame-playing and defamation politics,” he mentioned.
Chief Minister Vijay spoke about his journey from fan golf equipment and public service to forming the social gathering, highlighting his a long time of grassroots activism. On the ‘reel’ versus ‘actual’ jibe in opposition to the TVK authorities, he mentioned, “Some folks say I got here straight from the set of a film to turn into prime minister. Of their phrases, they’d say it was only a ‘reel’. Once we functioned as a fan membership, we stood by the folks.”
“In 2008, we organized a protest in assist of the Sri Lankan Tamil folks. In 2009, we applied varied welfare schemes for the folks by way of a folks’s motion. Via movies, we spoke about social justice and in opposition to corruption. In 2011, we organized a protest in assist of the fishing neighborhood. We organized public rallies. We prolonged our assist to the Jallikattu protests. We personally visited and supported the rallies.”After the Sterlite protests, we launched the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) and likewise issued a press release in opposition to the Citizenship Modification Act (CAA). ”
“We didn’t come to energy simply. We’re the one ones who know the wrestle we confronted to achieve a spot within the coronary heart of the Tamil folks. Some folks act as if they don’t perceive and criticize us saying, ‘He’s simply an actor and the social gathering is only a social gathering of actors.’ We do not care about such criticism. We’ve got gained 35 per cent of the votes and we’ve confronted conspiracies and we’re nonetheless miles away.
Mr. Vijay reiterated his deep remorse over the Karur stampede by which 41 folks had been reported lifeless throughout his election rally and accused the DMK of politicizing the tragedy. “Phrases can not specific my ache over the tragedy by which 41 folks misplaced their lives. That ache won’t ever go away me. However even that accusation they placed on us is horrible. Is politics this merciless?”
He highlighted his opposition to the Nationwide Eligibility cum Entrance Take a look at (NEET) within the Meeting, saying it creates inequality, reaffirmed his dedication to the bilingual coverage of Tamil and English within the state and mentioned he would resist any imposition of Hindi.
Mr. Vijay cited early achievements in his practically 10-week inauguration, together with security measures for girls just like the ‘Singappen’ brigade, motion in opposition to unlawful quarries, closure of Tasmac shops and securing central funding. He promised a authorities “freed from corruption and secure for girls” and appealed for extra time to make that occur.
(Edited by Vinny Mishra)
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