More than two years ago, on February 2, 2024, a new political force emerged in Tamil Nadu. But in a state long dominated by two Dravidian giants, the DMK and the AIADMK, the formation of another political party should not have made headlines. But it happened because it was South India’s biggest film star Thalapathy, S. Joseph Vijay. entry into the political struggle of the state.
The actor decided to launch his own political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazagham (TVK), and announced from a stage in Vikravandi that this is “a moment of a new beginning for Tamil Nadu.” Most psychologists and political commentators then doubted Vijay’s influence on politics and argued that he could at best be a “kingmaker” rather than a “king himself”.
Change of plan: May 4, 2026. Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Results were announced, and after six long decades the residents Tamil Nadu voted for major Dravidian parties for the first time and chose a force led by an actor-turned-politician.
On May 10, Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, but skepticism still persisted around him. This time it was about management. Vijay’s political rivals argued that the actor could only work in front of the camera and he no management experience. Some leaders even said that Vijay would not complete his term. Despite all these barbs, it has been more than a month since Vijay became the Prime Minister and the measures he has taken make people think that the actor-turned-politician is sending the right message to the public through his administration.
Vijaya directives to district collectors and superintendents of police on Mondaycalling for fearless action against criminals without political interference, insisting that even the most powerful criminals will be brought to swift and impartial justice, and declaring that the entire state of Tamil Nadu public transport buses will be equipped with air conditioningreinforced the perception that the CM prioritizes governance over politics.
This message Thalapathy sent since he became chief minister.
THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION OF VJAY THROUGH CONTROL STARTS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF KM.
The Vijaya government has announced several poll promises during the Assembly election campaign. Vijay asked the people of Tamil Nadu to trust him completely and promised that he would not deceive voters with false promises. On polling day, the people of Tamil Nadu kept their promise and it is time for Vijay to fulfill that promise.
A few hours after Vijay took office announced 200 units of free electricity. According to media reports, the decision will benefit nearly 2.4 million indoor power grid owners in the state.
He also set up an anti-drug task force in every district of Tamil Nadu to stop and strictly punish the illegal trafficking, sale and consumption of drugs. Vijay also ensured that this task force was under his direct control.
The CM created a special working group on women’s affairs and called him Singing appen (Lioness) Special Task Force. The wing’s objective was to prevent crimes against women and children and ensure prompt action and quick resolution of complaints.
Within 48 hours of coming to power, Vijay ordered closure of 717 Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmak) retail outlets operating near places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands across the state. The order directed the authorities to close all such government-run liquor shops operating within a radius of 500 meters from temples, mosques, churches, schools, colleges and bus stands within two weeks of the order.
With this decision, 276 liquor shops near religious places, 186 near schools and colleges and 255 near bus stations were closed, and Vijay fulfilled his promise to make public gathering places free of alcoholics.
However, some poll promises remain unfulfilled, although the government says they will be implemented soon.
PUNCTUALITY, CLOTHING AND WORKING STYLE OF THE CEO MAKE VIJAY DIFFERENT
The focus is not only on political statements and governance, but also on the symbolism of Vijay’s working style. Every morning the chief minister arrives at the Secretariat on timedressed in a sharply tailored black suit and white shirt – a conscious departure from the iconic white color. things this has long defined the political class in Tamil Nadu. The choice is more than sartorial.
This signals an attempt to position himself not as a traditional Dravidian politician, but rather as a modern administrator of Tamil Nadu.
Within the Secretariat, the emphasis appears to be on discipline. Vijay reportedly spends nearly seven hours at his desk from Monday to Friday, insists on strict punctuality from senior bureaucrats and has made timely attendance at work a non-negotiable expectation throughout the administrative hierarchy.
Even his habit of bringing lunch from home and eating quietly in his office rather than holding long political meetings over food became part of the narrative of his management style.
None of these actions change control. But in bureaucratic systems, leadership often begins with setting priorities. When the person at the top demonstrates punctuality, regular work hours, and a visible work ethic, it creates expectations throughout the administrative chain.
Such gestures may seem symbolic, but they help shape the culture of government, sending the message that efficiency, discipline and accountability should be valued as much as political rhetoric.
PRAISE BY NITI AAYOG DEPUTY CHAIRMAN KM VIJAY BREAKED THE INTERNET
Being a film star, Vijay has seen many blockbusters in his career and achieved success. But after he became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, his vision for the state became a talking point when Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri praises Vijay.
Despite positioning himself as a strong advocate for Tamil Nadu’s interests, Vijay maintains a pragmatic working relationship with the Centre.
Upon taking office, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and used the moment to highlight several issues which dominated politics in Tamil Nadu for a long time. Vijay urged the Center to take legal action against Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu Dam project and demanded the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by Sri Lanka. Vijay also called for speeding up defense manufacturing projects in Tamil Nadu and ensuring greater support for artificial intelligence, skill development and industrial investment from the central government.
He also attended the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting on June 11.signaling that he may be at odds politically with the Union government but remains willing to work for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Vijay’s economic vision attracted the attention of political circles. Ashok Lahiri has publicly praised Vijay’s long-term roadmap to expand Tamil Nadu’s economy to $1.5 trillion by 2035, calling it an ambitious but clearly defined vision. The endorsement was seen as an acknowledgment that the new chief minister is trying to position Tamil Nadu not just as India’s manufacturing hub, but as a global destination for investment and technology over the next decade.
VIJAY’S MESSAGES ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND PUBLIC WELFARE
The initial priorities of the Vijay-led government were to strengthen social welfare and improve public services, and within weeks of taking office, the government ordered a comprehensive overhaul of 620 Amma Unavagam canteens in Tamil Nadu, directing authorities to modernize kitchens, replace utensils, improve sanitation and address long-standing complaints about hygiene and food quality.
The administration also announced the first phase of cooperative bank loans waiver for poor and economically vulnerable borrowers, while restarting several stalled Jal Jeevan Mission drinking water projects aimed at increasing access to safe tap water. To support the agriculture sector, the government has introduced a package of Rs 134.83 crore to promote rice cultivation.
Other early measures included the deployment of 40 new vehicles to strengthen rural health and emergency medical services, and the introduction of stricter monitoring at scanning centers to improve maternal health care.
Along with welfare measures, the government sought to position itself as a government focused on administrative reforms and clean governance. At the heart of these efforts is the Vetri Tamizhagam vision document, a 436-point management plan covering 35 departments and built on ten pillars, inspired by the Thirukkural, the famous classical Tamil text on ethics, morality and good living. The document sets out measurable goals across all sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, economic growth and transparent governance.
Vijay also released White Paper on Finance of Tamil Naduhighlighting the government’s inherited debt burden and promising greater financial transparency. Vijay simultaneously directed officials to dismantle “parallel centers of power” within the bureaucracy, warned against kickbacks in awarding public works contracts, expanded the single window system for investors and supported anti-corruption investigations, including raids by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
Vijay lifted administrative sanctions granted for 46 projects by the Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) at a cost of Rs 245.85 crore, including marriage halls and commercial complexes approved by the previous DMK administration. Government officials said the move was aimed at ensuring that temple resources were spent on temple-related activities and not on commercial ventures. The government also announced that new projects for temples and devotees will be announced using funds released from canceled projects.
He also laid out plans for a Tamil Nadu Citizen Privilege Card to streamline the delivery of social services, a Vetri Tamil Nadu super app for government services, a proposed Right to Services Act and a special department that will promote the use of artificial intelligence in governance. Taken together, these initiatives reflect Vijay’s attempt to combine welfare expansion with technological governance and greater bureaucratic accountability.
For over two decades Joseph Vijay dominated the silver screen with blockbuster debuts. Now, as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he seems intent on crafting a governance scenario with the same cinematic flair. The TVK government faced its share of controversies, but Vijay constantly positioned himself as a decisive and practical leader, and these activities were aimed both at running the state and at silencing political rivals who doubted whether the actor could ever become an effective administrator.
– Ends
Published:
Avinash Kateel
Published:
July 1, 2026 07:00 EST