Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin on Sunday objected to Vijay’s comments about the state’s financial situation and the debt burden inherited from the previous administration. This comes after Vijay was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai after a tense battle to garner majority support.
Stalin said that the new government should not start by claiming that the state lacks funds, noting that money is available and that it depends on the willingness to use it for the people and the ability to govern effectively. He urged him to fulfill the promises made to voters during the election campaign.
“For five years, we have implemented innumerable welfare schemes for the people despite facing numerous problems like COVID and floods as well as neglect by the Union BJP government. You yourself in your first speech mentioned the allegation that “the previous government left behind a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore and emptied the treasury,” Nadu declared debt limits in Tamil borders.
Stalin asked Vijay not to “deceive the people” or divert attention from the responsibility of governance.
“Only after that you made various promises to the people? Don’t lie again to the people who voted for you and don’t try to divert the issue! You who came to power and said, ‘I will only make promises that are practically implementable’ are now entering the administration. I believe that like us, you too will soon learn the nuances of how to fulfill the promises people expect from you. Once again I wish Tamil Nadu’s journey of growth continues under your government!” concluded.
Stalin also conveyed his best wishes to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and welcomed the first set of notifications signed by Vijay shortly after assuming office. “Heartiest congratulations to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, @ActorVijay, leader of victorious Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for taking up this responsibility. I also welcome the notices you signed immediately after assuming office,” he said.
What did Vijay say in his first speech as CM?
In his first speech as CM, Vijay vowed a “new era” of governance focused on secularism and social justice. “I will never deceive you with false promises. I only promise what is possible,” he said, appreciating the people of Tamil Nadu for their support.
“The DMK government has left us with a debt of Rs ₹10 million million crowns. The party has emptied the coffers,” the actor-turned-politician said after the swearing-in ceremony. Vijay said his government would release a white paper detailing Tamil Nadu’s financial situation for 2021-2026.
He also expressed gratitude to alliance partners Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) for supporting TVK in securing majority in the Assembly.
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in ceremony along with senior alliance officials.
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections proved to be a watershed moment for the TVK, which won 108 seats in its first election contest, ending the decades-long dominance of the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the state.
