TN CM Vijay Meets Stalin After Bitter Poll Battle, Before Floor Vote

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday met DMK president and former Chief Minister M. K. Stalin at his Alwarpet residence in Chennai, days before the Tamil Nadu government faces a crucial floor test in the Assembly on May 13.

The meeting, described by government sources as a “courtesy call,” was the first between Vijay and Stalin after the TVK’s victory in the April 23 Assembly elections and Vijay’s swearing-in as Chief Minister.

The interaction came amid fresh political friction between the ruling TVK and the DMK. A day earlier, Vijay criticised the previous DMK regime over the state’s alleged Rs 10 lakh crore debt burden and took an indirect swipe at the party’s leadership structure, saying there would be only one “power centre” in his administration. Stalin later responded, defending the DMK’s governance record.

Despite the recent exchanges, Vijay received a warm welcome from Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin. Udhayanidhi greeted the Chief Minister with a handshake and embrace, while Stalin later hugged Vijay and escorted him inside. The leaders exchanged shawls and bouquets, and Udhayanidhi presented Vijay with a book documenting the DMK’s 75-year political history.

The meeting carries political significance ahead of the trust vote. TVK currently has 107 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly and is relying on support from Congress, VCK, IUML and Left parties to cross the majority mark.

Later in the day, Vijay also met Vaiko, where he was received by Durai Vaiko.