Tamil Nadu | Many firsts, and some second thoughts

For his a-day-at-office photographs, going viral on handles like ‘The Vijay Kingdom’, he offers a picture of composed demeanour. But Tamil Nadu’s new chief minister, C. Joseph Vijay, sits at the helm of a political experiment that’s navigating many novelty elements. His Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) ministry is no mono act—it’s the first coalition government here in many years. The Congress is in office after decades; the Dalit-centred Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) are in government for the first time ever. There’s a notable absence: that of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) dissidents.There’s also a certain unofficial presence. The TVK cadre, drawn from Vijay’s fandom, has exhibited its enthusiasm for reform a little too enthusiastically, recasting itself as a free-floating political gendarmerie of sorts. Videos circulating on social media show TVK members conducting impromptu inspections, intervening in local administration and behaving like parallel authorities. Earnest, if callow activism? Or excess produced by sudden access to power, as critics say? Either way, Vijay has been silent on the matter, stopping short of rebuking such behaviour. MANY MEANINGS OF POWERThis mix of excitement and contradictions carries over to the politics proper. In a long-awaited fulfilment, the VCK’s Vanni Arasu comes in as social justice minister, handling the Adi Dravidar Welfare and Hill Tribes departments. The IUML’s A.M. Shahjahan is minister for minorities welfare. The two Congress ministers, Rajesh Kumar and Viswanathan, mark out a different trajectory. After years of being a non-playing, junior ally under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the party now has a direct share in power in Tamil Nadu. In the optimistic reading, that validates the instincts espoused by sections in the party that see the TVK, rather than the DMK, as the emerging fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the state.Yet the decision comes with risks. Not only has the Congress alienated a long-time partner, it now has the onus of bringing stability and maturity to the new dispensation. That ambition has naturally not endeared it to the DMK. Leaders of the Left, VCK and IUML are learnt to have held discussions with the DMK brass before extending support to the TVK. Not so the Congress.On cue, DMK president M.K. Stalin called up Vanni Arasu to congratulate him, but the Congress only copped trenchant criticism for being a “backstabber” that opportunistically shifted camp. Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi, in particular, said the Congress had for years benefited electorally from its alliance with the DMK and then chosen to ditch it at a delicate moment in state and national politics.In response, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says the party always deserved a more meaningful role in governance and that “power-sharing is essential”. A share in power is also loaded with significance for the VCK. “Cadres overwhelmingly supported the idea of joining the cabinet. It’s not about power, but about who gets access to power,” says political observer Mudhalvan.The rebel AIADMK’s absence is telling. Sources suggest the TVK leadership was wary of the risks involved in onboarding ‘defectors’ and insisted that such MLAs resign and recontest under the TVK symbol, and the MLAs were apparently unwilling. Rebel leaders C. Ve Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani now find themselves in an uncomfortable position, allowing AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami the last laugh—at least for now!Tamil Nadu has many optimists who look forward to a generational shift in governance, but some flag the TVK’s inexperience. That concern was underlined by some TVK cadre across the state who went on what are being called “camera inspections”—surprise visits to state facilities, with the proceedings being recorded. “It’s the first time they are in power and it shows,” says a senior journalist. “But if Vijay is serious about delivering clean governance, he should rein them in.”- EndsPublished By: Shyam BalasubramanianPublished On: May 30, 2026 14:27 IST

Download App

Get 37% off on an annual Print +Digital subscription of India Today Magazine

Tamil Nadu | Many firsts, and some second thoughts

Team Vijay wears several colours, as Congress, VCK, IUML ministers bring novelty. Off stage, TVK cadre go a bit too vigilante

PUBLICATIONS

TELEVISION

EVENTS

RADIO

GAMING

USEFUL LINKS

PRINTING

WELFARE

DISTRIBUTION

SYNDICATIONS

WEBSITES

EDUCATION