Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday met his predecessor and DMK president MK Stalin at the latter’s residence in Chennai’s Alwarpet in what was described as a courtesy visit.
The meeting marked Vijay’s first interaction with Stalin after winning the April 23 Assembly polls and assuming office as chief minister. Vijay's brief meeting happened days ahead of the crucial floor test in the TN Assembly to demonstrate the TVK regime's majority strength in the House on May 13.
Vijay was received warmly by Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Udhayanidhi greeted the chief minister with a handshake and hug on his arrival, while Stalin later embraced Vijay during the meeting.
The two leaders also exchanged bouquets and draped each other with silk shawls.
Udhayanidhi presented him a book on the historic political journey of the DMK "Kalathin Niram Karuppu Sivappu-DMK 75.
In his oath taking ceremony on Sunday, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had alleged that the previous government has burdened the state with a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore and emptied the treasury.
Stalin replied that Tamil Nadu's debt remained well within the "permissible limits".
In a post on X, Stalin said, "The debt level of Tamil Nadu is within the permitted limits."
"Don't start saying right away that the government has no money," he said.
"We had clearly explained the financial position of the Tamil Nadu government in the February budget itself. Didn't you know that? It was only after that you made so many promises to the people. Don't deceive the people who voted for you and try to divert the issue," he added.
Stalin further said, Vijay, having recently assumed administrative responsibilities, would gradually understand the challenges involved in governance and fulfilling electoral promises.
Vijay had also indirectly hit out at the DMK for "multiple power centres" and had asserted that he was the only power centre in his TVK regime.
After meeting with Stalin, Vijay later proceeded to the residence of MDMK founder Vaiko and met the veteran leader.
Vaiko's son Durai Vaiko welcomed Vijay.
Vaiko presented a white silk shawl to Vijay and also garlanded him.
The CM honoured Vaiko with a shawl.
Later, the two leaders were seen briefly chatting and those present at Vaiko's residence greeted Vijay.
Later, addressing reporters, Vaiko said Vijay has emerged as a big leader post elections and that the elections showed the people wanted a change.
Lauding Vijay for reaching out to opposition leaders like him, Vaiko said the "signal being given out is that healthy politics should be encouraged in Tamil Nadu.
