Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday told the Assembly that his government stands firm in its policy of cooperative federalism and State autonomy.

He also reaffirmed his party remains ideologically opposed to the ruling party at the Centre, while making it clear that it would not oppose the Centre blindly. Mr. Vijay said his government was clear about the distinction between politics and maintaining an 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, particularly minorities and our alliance partners, need not have any doubts about us. We are not anyone’s team. We are solely 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 that law and order should be maintained and crimes against women should not be tolerated. “We are taking measures to prevent crimes against women and have launched the Singappen Special Force. Similarly, steps are being taken to curb the menace of narcotic drugs. These issues did not begin on May 10, 2026 [when he assumed office as Chief Minister]. They have existed for a long time and were neglected,” he said.

He also alleged that when Opposition parties raised law and order issues in Tamil Nadu, it appeared they did so not out of genuine concern but merely to spread slander. He questioned why there was no permanent Director-General of Police (Law and Order) for nearly 10 months during the previous government.

“The drug menace has become widespread now. It should have been curbed at the initial stage itself. Who was responsible for it? When so many questions are being raised against the government now, I would like to ask who should have taken steps to curb the drug menace then. Who was in charge of the Police Department?” he asked.

Mr. Vijay also said his government functions in a democratic manner and anyone can 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 criticise,” he said, adding that constructive criticism is welcome.

Thanking those who spoke on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address and the people of Tamil Nadu who voted for his party, he said although parties in the Assembly differed in ideology, everyone should work together constructively for the development of Tamil Nadu.

He said an impression was being created he had come directly from a film shooting spot and became the Chief Minister. “But that is only a reel, not real,” he said, before extensively tracing his public life and political journey prior to launching the TVK in 2024, including the welfare programmes implemented and the protests in which he participated.

Mr. Vijay questioned how many Ministerial berths were given to Scheduled Castes during the previous regime. “In our government, eight Ministers are from the Scheduled Castes. The century-old dream of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has become reality,” he said. He said his party had given Ministerial berths to four women.

He also said that only those who could confidently declare they would not commit any wrongdoing or corruption could form a coalition government and share power. “Those steeped in corruption will never share power, whether they have a majority or not. They always had a ready-made answer that people do not prefer coalition governments. Now, the people are laughing at them,” he added.