TVK government is clear on political opposition to and administrative cooperation with the Centre, says Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday told the Assembly that his government is committed to the policy of cooperative federalism and State autonomy.

He also reiterated that his party is ideologically opposed to the ruling party at the Centre, and made it clear that he would not blindly oppose the Centre. Mr. Vijay said his government was clear on the distinction between politics and maintaining administrative relationship with the Centre.

“There will be no compromise on the State’s rights or the TVK’s political principles. We remain steadfast in this position, and there will be no deviation from it. Those who attempt to divert attention will fail,” he said while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address. “People, especially minorities and our alliance partners, do not need to doubt us. We are not anyone’s team. We are only the people’s team. We are a secular and social justice-oriented movement,” he said.

He said there was no second thought in the government about maintaining law and order and not tolerating crimes against women. “We are taking measures to prevent crimes against women and have activated the Singappen Special Forces. Similarly, steps are being taken to eliminate the drug menace. These problems did not start on May 10, 2026. [when he assumed office as Chief Minister]. “They have been around for a long time and have been neglected,” he said.

He also alleged that it has been revealed that when Opposition parties raise law and order issues in Tamil Nadu, they do so only to spread defamation and not out of genuine concern. He questioned why there was no permanent Director General of Police (Law and Order) for nearly 10 months during the previous government.

“The drug danger has now become widespread. It should have been stopped at the first stage. Who was responsible? Now, while so many questions are being asked against the government, I want to ask this, who should have taken steps to prevent the drug danger at that time. Who was in charge of the Police Department?” he asked.

Mr. Vijay also said that his government was working in a democratic manner and anyone could question law and order issues in the state. “This is not a monarchy, but a government guided by conscience and run for the people. Everyone has the right to criticize,” he said, adding that constructive criticism is welcome.

Governor’s Speech He thanked those who spoke in the Motion of Thanks and the people of Tamil Nadu who voted for his party, and said that even though the ideologies of the parties in the Assembly were different, everyone should work together constructively for the development of Tamil Nadu.

He said that the impression was being created that he came directly from a movie shooting location and became the Prime Minister. “But this is just a fact, not a fact,” he said, before comprehensively tracing TVK’s public life and political journey ahead of its launch in 2024, including the welfare programs he implemented and the protests he participated in.

Mr. Vijay questioned how many Ministerial berths were given to Scheduled Castes during the previous regime. “There are eight Ministers from Scheduled Castes in our government. Dr. BR Ambedkar’s age-old dream has become a reality,” he said. He said that his party gave ministerial seats to four women.

He also said that only those who can confidently declare that they will not commit any wrongdoing or corruption can form a coalition government and share power. “The corrupt will never share power, whether they have a majority or not. They always had a ready answer that the people do not prefer coalition governments. Now the people are laughing at them.”