Chennai: Embattled by criticism of being ‘just an actor’ and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) a mere actor’s party, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay Tuesday gave a detailed account in the state Assembly of how he has fought for real causes like the Sri Lankan Tamils in 2008, supporting fishermen in 2011 and supported Jallikattu.
He was delivering his first detailed speech in the state Assembly Tuesday, during the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address. He accused the previous DMK regime of corruption and poor law and order, at which DMK leaders walked out of the Assembly.
He said the DMK collected money in the name of party funds. “We will never loot public money. Every corruption case that comes to light will be pursued, and we will not spare anyone involved,” he said. He also mimicked the viral hand gesture associated with former chief minister M. K. Stalin that was widely interpreted as “everything over” after DMK legislators walked out.
Stalin had used the gesture while leaving the DMK headquarters after the seat-sharing talks with the Congress before the Assembly elections.
Taking a dig at the DMK for dynasty politics, Vijay said, “In 1967, Anna formed the government for common people. In 1977, MGR formed the government for common people. Now, in 2026, Vijay’s government is for common people. Our politics is not about giving importance to one family, but to each family in Tamil Nadu.”
Alleging corruption during the previous regime, he said, “TVK government knows how to serve people but we don’t know how to siphon off public money. We don’t know how to loot temple funds, transfer government revenue to personal coffers, or promote drug culture.” He contrasted this with alleged past malpractices like bribes for transfers, promotions, and corruption in various sectors.
Vijay highlighted TVK’s electoral success despite challenges and said that while DMK claims it let go of their alliance partners to help TVK form the government, he said the government was formed only due to the support of people and allies. “They say that Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League made their own independent decisions but they accuse us of having sent them and brought them in.”
Regarding the DMK raising issues of law and order in the state, he said the government is doing everything to protect women. He accused DMK of politicising the issue. “When opposition members raises these issues on law and order, it does not seem to come out of genuine concern. Instead, it appears to be blame-game politics and politics based on defamation,” he said.
Chief Minister Vijay recounted his journey from fan clubs and public service to forming the party, emphasising grassroots work over decades. Addressing the “reel” versus “real” jibe against TVK government, he said: “Some people say that I came directly from a film shooting set to become Chief Minister. In their own language, I would say that is just a ‘reel’. When we were functioning as a fan club, we stood by the people.”
Listing the key milestones in his political history, he said, “In 2008, we organised protests in support of Sri Lankan Tamils. In 2009, through our people’s movement, we carried out various welfare schemes for the public. Through our films, we spoke about social justice and opposition to corruption. In 2011, we organised a public meeting in support of fishermen community. We extended our support to the Jallikattu protest. We personally visited and supported the Sterlite protest. After all this, we launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). We also issued statements opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).”
“We didn’t get power easily. Only we know the struggles we faced to get a place in the heart of the Tamil people. A few people will act as if they don’t understand and criticise us, saying, ‘he is just an actor and the party is just an actor’s party’. We don’t bother with such criticism. Our politics is transparent. We got 35 percent of the votes and we faced conspiracies and restrictions. We faced everything and we are here. Still miles to go,” Vijay said in his address in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Vijay once again expressed deep regret over the Karur stampede tragedy where 41 deaths were reported during his election rally and accused DMK of politicising the tragedy. “I can’t express my pain about the tragedy where 41 people lost their lives. That pain will never leave me. But even that blame they put on us. Atrocious. Is politics this cruel?”
Highlighting the opposition to National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in the assembly, he said NEET creates inequality and reaffirmed commitment to the two-language policy of Tamil and English in the state, resisting any imposition of Hindi.
Vijay listed early achievements of his roughly 10-week-old government, including women’s safety measures like the “Singappen” force, action on illegal quarries, closure of TASMAC shops, and securing central funds. He promised a “corruption-free, women-safe” administration and appealed for time to deliver.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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