Vijay’s First Speech as Tamil Nadu CM: Newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay introduced himself as a “common man” during his first public address after taking oath in Chennai on Sunday. The actor-turned-politician said his rise to power was possible because people connected with his ordinary background rather than any political dynasty or privileged family legacy.
Addressing supporters after the swearing-in ceremony, the 51-year-old leader said he would focus on honest governance and promised to work towards what he described as “an era of real, secular, social justice”.
Vijay also urged people to give his government enough time to prove its performance and fulfil its promises.
Tamil Nadu CM Oath Ceremony: Vijay Says He Will Be the Only Power Centre in Government
In one of the strongest moments of his speech, Vijay made it clear that he alone would be responsible for the functioning and decisions of his government.
“There will be no power centre other than me. I will be the only centre of power,” he said while accepting the affectionate names “Mama” and “Thambi” used by his supporters.
His remarks were widely viewed as an attempt to assure the public that the TVK-led coalition government would function independently and would not be controlled or pressured by alliance partners.
The statement also signalled Vijay’s intention to maintain direct accountability for government policies and administration.
PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Vijay After Tamil Nadu Oath Ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay after he took oath as Chief Minister and assured cooperation between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government.
The Prime Minister said the Union government would continue working with the state administration for the welfare and development of people in Tamil Nadu. Vijay’s swearing-in marks a major political shift in the state, as his government became the first non-DMK and non-AIADMK administration in nearly six decades.
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Signals Transparency, May Release White Paper on State Finances
The new Chief Minister also hinted at greater financial transparency under his government. Vijay said he was considering releasing a white paper on Tamil Nadu’s financial condition before moving forward with major policy decisions.
According to his election affidavit, Vijay declared a total net worth of around Rs 624 crore. Reports stated that approximately Rs 213 crore was held in savings accounts, while nearly Rs 100 crore had been invested in fixed deposits across various banks. His comments on financial transparency are being seen as an attempt to build public trust early in his tenure.
Vijay Signs First Major Welfare Decisions After Taking Oath
Soon after assuming office, Vijay signed his first official government files announcing two key welfare measures. The new government approved 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers and also announced the formation of a special task force focused on women’s safety. These early decisions highlighted TVK’s focus on welfare and public safety as key priorities for the new administration.
Mix of Experienced and Young Faces in Vijay’s Cabinet
Vijay’s first cabinet includes a combination of senior political leaders and younger faces from his core TVK team. Veteran leader KA Sengottaiyan was included in the ministry alongside younger leaders such as Dr TK Prabhu and S Keerthana.
Several close associates of Vijay from TVK — including Aadhav Arjuna, N Anand, R Nirmal Kumar and KG Arunraj also took oath as ministers. The cabinet formation reflects an attempt to balance experience with fresh leadership within the new government.
Congress Left Out of Vijay’s First Cabinet
Interestingly, no leader from the Indian National Congress was included in Vijay’s first cabinet despite the party being one of the earliest supporters of TVK during government formation talks.
Congress had extended support to Vijay when TVK was short of the majority mark in the Assembly, helping the alliance move closer to forming the government. However, the absence of Congress representatives in the new ministry has already sparked political discussions about the future dynamics within the ruling alliance.
