Published Jun 23, 2026 | 12:32 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 23, 2026 | 12:32 PM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay speaking in the state Assembly..
Synopsis: Speaking at the state Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay responded to criticism that he lacks political experience. He said he has nearly two decades of experience in raising his voice for the people. Vijay asserted that the affection, trust and support of the people of Tamil Nadu were the real reasons behind his growth and political rise.
Responding to criticism that he is an inexperienced politician, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said on Tuesday, 23 June, that he had nearly two decades of experience in raising his voice for the people.
He made the remark while addressing the State Assembly, defending his government’s performance, responding sharply to opposition criticism, and outlining his administration’s ideological and governance priorities.
Beginning his address, Vijay thanked the people of Tamil Nadu for electing him and his party to the Assembly, saying it was an honour to represent the people in a House shaped by the legacy of great leaders and historic democratic traditions.
Referring to the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, he said that despite ideological differences among parties, Tamil Nadu would continue to remain a leading state if all political forces united for public welfare.
The chief minister thanked the Leader of the Opposition for fulfilling the democratic role of questioning the government, but quickly shifted to criticism of political narratives built around his rise to power.
Claiming that some people were attempting to create a false narrative that his success was solely due to his personal effort, Vijay asserted that the affection, trust and support of the people of Tamil Nadu were the real reasons behind his growth and political rise.
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Responding to criticism that he had directly entered politics from cinema, Vijay traced his public life back nearly two decades. He said his engagement with people began through the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam and cited the 2008 hunger strike in support of Sri Lankan Tamils during the civil war.
He said as early as 2008, he had demanded safety and peaceful living conditions for Eelam Tamils, and since formally beginning Vijay Makkal Iyakkam in 2009, welfare activities had steadily expanded across Tamil Nadu.
Highlighting his earlier social interventions, Vijay recalled initiatives including libraries, public welfare activities, anti-corruption messaging through films, advocacy for social justice, education, and political awareness.
He said several of his films faced problems because they openly spoke about politics and corruption. He also pointed to a major public meeting organised in Nagapattinam in 2011 in support of fishermen affected by attacks at sea.
He said that immediately after launching Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party had raised its voice against the Citizenship Amendment Act protests in India. Reflecting on his political journey, Vijay said only he knew the struggles he endured to gain the trust of Tamil Nadu’s people, while some continued to mock him merely as an actor.
Referring to the 2026 Assembly election, he said people had clearly understood his politics, helping his party secure 35 percent of the vote share and emerge as the single largest political force in Tamil Nadu. He called the present government a continuation of the spirit of 1967, when ordinary people first came to power in the state, saying his administration similarly represented governance for common people.
In a direct attack on dynastic politics, Vijay declared that not just one family but every family in Tamil Nadu mattered. He claimed his government had broken the culture of cash-for-votes that had dominated elections for years.
Speaking about the financial condition inherited by his administration, Vijay said his government’s biggest challenge was stopping irregularities and repairing damage caused by governance failures between 2016 and 2021, asking people to give the administration time to stabilise the system.
Addressing ideological questions, Vijay invoked Periyar EV Ramasamy and said his party had adopted only those principles of Periyar that it agreed with. At the same time, he reaffirmed that he personally believed in God, making it clear that his movement’s approach was selective rather than doctrinaire.
He promised a corruption-free and honest administration, saying that with the support of Tamil Nadu’s nearly 10 crore people, clean governance was entirely possible. Aiming at critics who said his government lacked administrative experience, Vijay responded that while they may not know how to engage in corruption, they certainly knew how to govern honestly.
Continuing his criticism of previous administrations, Vijay said his government does not know how to take money for transfers and promotions, does not know how to create fake appointments, does not know how to loot temple funds under the guise of administration, and does not know how to divert public money into private hands.
In one of the speech’s sharper political moments, he said his government knows how to respect women but not how to make dismissive remarks about women’s welfare schemes, an apparent indirect reference to previous controversies over free bus travel and cash assistance schemes.
The chief minister said thousands of attempts could be made to tarnish his government’s image, but people remained firmly on his side. Addressing the ongoing power crisis, Vijay blamed transformer failures and poor management under the previous government for electricity disruptions, assuring that corrective work was underway and power cuts would soon be eliminated completely.
On recent farmers’ protests, he alleged that Opposition parties were instigating agitations for political reasons. He accused the previous administration of leaving behind severe financial distress as a “gift” to both the government and the public.
Speaking about Centre-State relations, Vijay clarified that while his government remained politically opposed to the Union government on policy matters, confrontation with the Centre on every issue was unnecessary. He said alliance partners and the public should have no doubts about his government’s political position.
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Reaffirming ideological commitments, he described his government as committed to secularism and social justice. On education policy, Vijay reiterated Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), demanding that medical admissions should be based solely on academic marks and calling for the abolition of the entrance exam.
Further, he strongly reiterated Tamil Nadu’s commitment to the two-language policy, stating there was no change in that position. He also said Tamil Nadu had formally requested the Union government not to impose the National Education Policy 2020, sought funding for major drinking water schemes, demanded employment opportunities, and urged recognition of Tirukkural as India’s national literature.
Speaking on interstate relations, Vijay said Tamil Nadu was maintaining friendly cooperation with neighbouring states in areas including river water sharing, economy, culture and transport, and added that those relationships would be strengthened further.
He said the government is prioritising women and child safety while accusing Opposition parties of spreading false allegations regarding law and order deterioration. Vijay also questioned why previous governments had failed to control narcotics circulation when the police force was under their control.
He said that unlike monarchies, democracy allows questioning of the government and assured that criticism of the law and order situation would not be ignored. He further stated that funds previously collected under the “party fund” system in Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation were now being directed into the state treasury.
At several points during the speech, members of the DMK strongly protested remarks made by the chief minister, forcing the Speaker to intervene, asking members to maintain order. Following heated exchanges, DMK legislators staged a walkout from the Assembly.
Responding to allegations that coalition partners had enabled his government, Vijay asserted that his administration was formed purely through people’s support and not because of backroom political arrangements. He criticised claims of rivals that others were responsible for sustaining his government.
Highlighting representation in his Cabinet, Vijay said his government had fulfilled BR Ambedkar’s vision by appointing eight ministers from Scheduled Caste communities and ensuring representation for four women ministers.
He accused opponents of not only spreading falsehoods against his government but also insulting the people who voted for his party by claiming they had made the wrong choice. Comparing the criticism to political attacks once faced by MG Ramachandran, Vijay said ridicule and mockery had long been political tools used by rivals.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
