CHENNAI: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday paid a courtesy visit to senior political leaders cutting across party lines. He called on former CM and DMK president M K Stalin, MDMK founder Vaiko, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss and NTK chief Seeman.
After the swearing-in of MLAs at the state Assembly on Monday, CM Vijay headed straight to Stalin’s residence on Chittranjan Salai. Stalin’s son and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was waiting outside, welcomed him with a warm hug.
The former CM then received Vijay at the door, embraced him, held his hands and escorted him inside. Vijay subsequently called on MDMK general secretary Vaiko at his residence in Anna Nagar, where the two held a conversation. Vaiko said the visit demonstrated Vijay’s political magnanimity and maturity.
“This shows his desire to nurture healthy politics in Tamil Nadu,” he told the media. Vaiko’s son Durai Vaiko (Lok Sabha member) added that they conveyed their best wishes to the new CM and assured him of support.
“We need to give him an opportunity; he comes with no experience. He has promised social justice and a corruption-free government. We are with him in offering good governance,” he told reporters.
Vijay also went over and visited with Anbumani Ramadoss at his residence, before concluding the day’s courtesy calls with a visit to NTK chief Seeman at his house on ECR.
At Anbumani’s house, Vijay held a short discussion with PMK leader in the presence of political strategist Jhon Arokiasamy, on the possibility of having the PMK into their fold, sources said. Meanwhile, CM Vijay received congratulatory messages from a wide range of national and international leaders upon assuming office.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge were among those who conveyed their good wishes.
Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also extended his greetings to Vijay. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also congratulated Vijay.