Dream run reaches crescendo as Vijay scripts history, takes over reins of TN in the presence of Rahul

A dream run reached its crescendo when actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay scripted history by taking over the reins of the Dravidian heartland as the Chief Minister on Sunday, heralding a new era in the political trajectory of Tamil Nadu.

Jubilation and an outpouring of joy erupted when he started reading out the oath “I, C Joseph Vijay…” as his ardent supporters waited for the moment. Apart from the huge gathering at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, where the swearing-in ceremony took place, lakhs of households were glued to TV to witness the occasion. Though TVK has the ‘Kazhagam’ nomenclature in its name, this is the first non-DMK and non-AIADMK government in the state after 1967, bringing the curtains down on the Dravidian duopoly.

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In the presence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was seated on the dais, Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath of office to Vijay, who wore black pants, a white full-sleeved shirt, and a black blazer. Nine TVK ministers, including a woman, were sworn in on the occasion along with Vijay, the state’s 13th Chief Minister.

Marking a first in a Tamil Nadu government event was the singing of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ ahead of the national anthem towards the close of the ceremony. Except for the Governor, none knew the song, and all stood silently. It remains to be seen whether this is an exception or will become the norm.

Soon after the swearing-in, Vijay signed three files to fulfil his poll promises. These included 200 units of free electricity for households every two months, the creation of a Rapid Response Force for Women’s Safety, christened ‘Singappen’ (singam – Lion, pen – woman), and the establishment of anti-narcotics units across the state.

In his maiden address later, Vijay alleged that the previous (DMK) government had left the treasury empty with a humongous debt burden of Rs 10 lakh crore and promised to bring out a white paper on the state’s financial health, aimed at ensuring transparency and charting a road map for future growth. Admitting that it is a massive challenge and a great responsibility, the TVK chief requested that he be given some time to fulfil the election promises. “I am no divine messenger. I am also a human and one of you. I need time to set things right. I am not backing off but will make every effort to implement the promises,” he said.

In an apparent dig at the DMK’s first family, he said, “I come neither from a royal lineage nor rich parentage. As the son of an Assistant Director, I have grown up like many of you, and I know what hunger is. I am your brother, friend, and anyone else in your household. It is because of you that all this has been possible.” Further, promising transparent governance, the TVK chief said in the new government under his watch, there will be only one power centre, no left, right or middle.

Reiterating his commitment to secularism and social justice, Vijay assured religious minorities of full protection and promised that his government would ensure the welfare of all people, irrespective of their faith. Taking a swipe at the AIADMK and DMK without naming them, he said the former openly engages with the BJP, while the latter does it secretly. “If I go to meet someone, I will not cover my face (a reference to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami reportedly covering his face while coming out of Amit Shah’s residence in New Delhi). Nor will I have secret dealings.”