TN Politics : TN CM Joseph Vijay takes a Good Opening!
One month of TVK rule in Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has changed Dravidian politics. It has marked a new era in state with a coalition government in power.
It’s too short a time to assess but generally Vijay has impressed. His charisma as a movie star, and a campaign centred on the promise of change has brought a lot of hope.
As Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu he is punctual arrives on time at the secretariat in his sharply tailored black suit and white shirt. In the social media age the optics have been good - spends almost 8 hours Monday to Friday at work. He has not ruffled the feathers of bureaucracy who is working in tandem and files are moving fast.
However Vijay has a lot of poll promises to keep at a time when the world economy is going through very difficult times. So implementing his poll promises will be a huge challenge.
The way he has gone after corruption is being appreciated. A sincere attempt is being made to clean up TASMAC, a department known for its rampant corruption.
However Law and Order remains his biggest challenge. Remember TVK rode to power promising law and order and addressing violence against women. But in the last one month TVK is facing facing intense public and political scrutiny over it. The Government has ordered the police to take strict and immediate action.
The actor turned politician has received accolades for launching the 'Singappen Special Task Force,' a dedicated all-women police unit aimed at preventing crimes against women and children.
Vijay has definitely brought a change in the way people perceive politics in the state. His biggest strength has been the public's growing disappointment and frustration with the two major Dravidian parties than by any clear political vision. TVK is yet to spell out their political ideology and Vijay as chief minister should hold press briefings at regular intervals.
Once Vijay proved his majority on the floor of the assembly with 144 votes, and backing of Congress, Left parties, VCK, IUML and 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs, he was home. However the bone of contention among critics here is that TVK has not secured a majority of its own and got only 107 seats. But so far it has been smooth sailing.
The opposition in Tamil Nadu is in complete disarray. DMK remains a pale shadow of its former self as it is conducting organisational overhaul. AIADMK is in the pits as it is facing internal dissension with half the party trying to jump the ship. Nobody is even talking about BJP in Tamil Nadu as its best known face Annamalai has moved on to create his own political space.
Meanwhile, Vijay is riding a massive wave of popular political support and calling the shots. His detractors may try to pull him down, but he’s here to stay.
What’s your opinion on one-month of the Vijay Sarkar?