CHENNAI: Heralding a new political chapter in Tamil Nadu, TVK president C Joseph Vijay assumed office as the State’s Chief Minister on Sunday.
Soon after taking over the reins of the government, Vijay cleared key files relating to free electricity supply (up to 200 units), the creation of a women’s protection force, and anti-drug squads in every district. He also promised the people of the State a clean and transparent government.
Vijay also effected a key bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing IAS officers Dr P Senthilkumar and G Laxmi Priya as the Chief Secretaries to the Chief Minister.
In his maiden speech, Chief Minister Vijay appealed to the people to give him some time to fulfil his electoral promises.
"You have placed such a big responsibility on my hands. At the same time, I request you to give me some time as well. In a step-by-step manner, I will try to fulfill everything that I have assured. I will fulfill my assurances. At the same time, if you give me some time, it will be helpful and cooperative for me. This is your regime," he said.
Referring to the state's huge debt burden of around Rs 10 lakh crore, Vijay promised a white paper on the finances.
“I want to take it forward from there,” he said.
Vijay assured that he would be transparent and open.
“As I have said before, I will not touch even a single paisa from the people's money. It is not necessary for me either and you know that very well. I will not err, and I will not allow my Council of Ministers to err. If anyone has thoughts of indulging in such practices now that we have won, please erase them from your minds,” Vijay warned.
The Chief Minister also asserted that there would not be multiple power centres in his government.
"There is only one centre here, the centre under my leadership. A centre on this side, a power centre on that side, another power center there - none of that exists, I'm telling you right now," he said.
"This is a new beginning, a new era of real, secular social justice starts now,” he added.
In an attempt to reaffirm his connection with the people, the actor-turned politician said, "I do not hail from any royal lineage, I am like you, and I am like one among you, one among your family."
He also thanked the people for standing with him through hardships and insults.
"As I have said before, I will not deceive you by making false promises," he said and added that he had confidence of achieving even pretty difficult tasks with the support of crores of people.
He assured that he would be strict on women's safety.
"From today itself, I will take all the necessary steps and efforts to control the drug culture. It is the responsibility of our government to protect our children from it. Similarly, I will ensure upholding law and order and assure protection for everyone," the CM said.
Even those who humiliated him, those who caused him trouble, "they are also my people, are not they," he asked.
Whether they are friends or enemies, all eight crore people are my people, he said.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay at a grand function held at the Nehru Indoor Stadium. Vijay and most of his Cabinet colleagues took the oath of office in the name of God.
N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, A. Rajmohan, T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthana also took oath as Ministers.
During his oath-taking as CM, Vijay went off-script and attempted to make an emotional and powerful address, promting the Governor to intervene and ask the TVK chief to stick to the official oath.
(With inputs from PTI)