Tamil Nadu Politics: Chief Minister Vijay meets MK Stalin, discussion intensifies in political circles

Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday criticized his predecessor and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M.K. Met Stalin at his residence in Alwarpet here. The meeting between the two leaders took place a few days before the Vijay-led government has to win the trust vote in the House by May 13.

After winning the assembly elections and assuming the post of Chief Minister, Vijay met Stalin for the first time. Official sources said it was a “courtesy call”. Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin warmly welcomed Chief Minister Vijay. The meeting comes a day after Vijay strongly criticized the previous DMK government for having a debt burden of Rs 10 lakh crore in Tamil Nadu.

Vijay indirectly hit out at the DMK for having ‘multiple centers of power’, saying he would be the only “centre of power” in his government. DMK chief Stalin had hit back at Vijay’s statement regarding debt burden. Later, Vijay met MDMK founder Vaiko. Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) performed brilliantly in the assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member assembly of the state.

Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a ceremony here on Sunday and with this, for the first time in almost 60 years, a government other than DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has been formed in the state. Congress, which supports TVK, is a former ally of DMK. Congress has five MLAs.

After Vijay’s resignation from Tiruchirappalli East seat, TVK has 107 seats in the assembly and is supported by 13 MLAs from Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed the new government to obtain the trust vote in the Assembly by May 13. On the arrival of Chief Minister Vijay on Monday, Udhayanidhi welcomed him by shaking hands and warmly hugging him.

Later Stalin hugged Vijay and took him inside his house. Vijay and Stalin honored each other with silk shawls and bouquets. Later Vijay went to the residence of MDMK founder Vaiko and met him. Vaiko’s son Durai Vaiko welcomed Vijay. Vaiko presented a white silk shawl to Vijay.

The Chief Minister also honored Vaiko by presenting him a shawl. Later, the two leaders were seen chatting for a while and people present at Vaiko’s residence greeted Vijay. On this occasion, Vaiko said that after the elections, Vijay has emerged as a big leader and the elections proved that people wanted change.