Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday (June 1, 2026) said the TVK-led government would be a “government for all”, and it would never compromise on secularism, State rights, river water-sharing, or social justice.

He was speaking at a public meeting organised to thank the voters of the Tiruchi East constituency, from where he was elected to the Assembly (since vacated), besides Perambur in Chennai. Mr. Vijay promised the people of Tamil Nadu that he would provide corruption-free governance. “I understand it is not magic, and cannot be done overnight. But I will make it happen. I have no other job than working for you,” he said, adding that everything would be done according to the Constitution.

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Referring to the criticism of his government, Mr. Vijay said those who had pledged to wait for six months (before assessing his performance) could not hold their tongue for even six days. “Within half-an-hour of government formation, they started speaking. They were even ranting at a wedding,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the DMK would remain the TVK’s main political opponent, and all other “formations” were irrelevant. Alleging that attempts were made to prevent the TVK from forming the government, Mr. Vijay said the “evil force” (theeya sakthi) and the “exhausted force” (theeyintha sakthi) had plotted to form the government and continue to loot the State. “The moment you decided to keep an alliance with the exhausted force, the DMK became irrelevant,” Mr. Vijay said, addressing DMK president M.K. Stalin.

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The TVK, according to him, had broken the influence of caste, religion, and money in elections. The percentage of votes secured by the party was even higher than what was achieved by M.G. Ramachandran, he pointed out, but was quick to clarify he was not comparing himself with the AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister.

Hitting out at those who labelled TVK supporters as tharkuri (illiterate), Mr. Vijay said he would not remain silent if they continued to speak ill of the people. “The same people who voted for you have voted for me, too,” he said.

On the criticism over the law and order situation, Mr. Vijay blamed the rampant spread of drug abuse. Had the DMK nipped it in the bud, many women and children could have been saved, he said. “I have appointed a team of efficient officers now. The ‘Singappen Kaval Padai’ will be inaugurated next week,” he said, promising expeditious filing of charge-sheets, speedy court proceedings, and stringent punishment.

Defending the announcement on farm loan waiver, Mr. Vijay said he had done whatever was possible within a month, given the “financial mess” that needed to be set right. Assuring farmers of his support, Mr. Vijay said he had not entered politics to lie or cheat the people.

Mr. Vijay took an indirect swipe at the DMK’s post-election social media outreach, saying the parties that once drove political reels were now reduced to watching the news. He believed that the TVK had created a new level of political consciousness among the youth and women and expressed satisfaction that citizens were now closely following Assembly proceedings. “Our youth and women should know what politics is. Such an awareness has now been created,” he said. The Chief Minister also responded to comments on his choice of attire. Defending his preference for the black and white suit, he said it reflected his attitude towards dealing with everything in black and white.

Thanking the people of Tamil Nadu for their support, Mr. Vijay said he was especially grateful to voters of Tiruchi East. “Just as Tiruchi is considered the heart of Tamil Nadu, Tiruchi East remains close to my heart,” he said. The TVK would field a local candidate in the by-election, he said.