Ahead of the floor test to prove majority in the Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president on Monday walked the extra mile to meet his predecessor and DMK president MK Stalin at the latter’s residence, heralding a new political culture in the state.
A warm welcome and a graceful hug was how Stalin received his successor, who dethroned his DMK government in the just-concluded assembly election. Stalin himself was defeated in the Kolathur constituency, which he represented three times and turned into a model constituency.
On his arrival, Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi, the current leader of the Opposition, welcomed Vijay at the entrance and hugged his Chennai Loyola College pal. Then Stalin led the Chief Minister into the living room, holding him by hand. While the Chief Minister presented a bouquet and a shawl, Stalin reciprocated with a shawl. On his part, Udhayanidhi presented a book ‘Kaalathin Niram Karuppu Sivappu’ (Colour of the era is Black and Red), on the DMK and the Dravidian movement. The meeting was cordial and lasted for more than 10 minutes. Besides Stalin and Udhayanidhi, former Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, were among those present on the occasion.
Interestingly, upon being informed about Vijay’s keenness to meet him, Stalin reportedly said that he would come to the secretariat. But, Vijay insisted that he should visit his predecessor at his residence on Chittarajan Road in the city.
The next stop was the residence of MDMK general secretary Vaiko and the senior politician appeared overjoyed at the Chief Minister’s visit. Vaiko’s son Durai Vaiko, MP received Vijay as he alighted from the car by garlanding him and presenting him with a shawl. Vaiko also garlanded Vijay and gave him a shawl. After introducing his party functionaries and family members, Vaiko introduced the domestic helps of his household and they took a photograph with the film icon turned neta. “This is the beginning of a healthy political culture,” Vaiko said later.
Third was the residence of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani, where after the usual exchange of pleasantries and honouring with a shawl, the family members of the former Union Minister took a photo. The children in the family shook hands with their favourite movie star. Later, Vijay visited Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Chief Coordinator Seeman, where also he received a warm welcome.
Earlier, he had visited the offices of the CPI and CPI(M) and spent time with the leaders of the Left parties. On Sunday, after his swearing-in and taking over office at the secretariat, he visited Periyar Thidal and paid floral tributes to the statue of the late rationalist stalwart and Dravidian icon, ‘Periyar’ EV Ramasamy. He was received by Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) president K Veeramani.
As per the Governor’s order appointing Vijay as Chief Minister, he must take the floor test on or before May 13.