Stalin criticizes CM Vijay, calling TVK government a corporate-controlled circus

DMK President M.K. Stalin launched scathing attacks on the TVK-led government on Wednesday. He alleged that corporate power centers maintain control over the government and that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is being used to run the administration. Speaking at an honor ceremony organized by Dravidar Kazhagam at the VOC Grounds in Coimbatore, Stalin stated that the Chief Minister is unable to take independent decisions and that corporate interests influence the government's functioning.

Chief Minister Vijay had previously stated that he would be the center of power in the government, but Stalin, referring to that statement, said that the TVK government has become a "circus". He claimed that corporate power centers are pulling the strings from behind the scenes and using the Chief Minister to run the government according to their wishes. Additionally, Stalin made a serious allegation that astrologers are imposing decisions in the TVK government, ranging from determining the dates of official programs to the Chief Minister's attire.

Discussing administrative failures, Stalin criticized the ongoing power cuts. He said that despite several months having passed since the government came to power, it has failed to resolve this issue. He further stated that after cancelling the electricity procurement arrangements made during the previous DMK government, the government is now purchasing electricity from the open market at almost double the price.

On the issue of law and order, Stalin claimed that a series of murders is being witnessed in Coimbatore city, with 10 murders occurring in the city in the last month. He mentioned the arrest of TVK worker N. Boopalan from Nagapattinam district, from whom 135 kg of methamphetamine was seized. Stalin questioned why the state police did not arrest the accused and asked whether the Chief Minister would take responsibility for the involvement of a ruling party worker in drug trafficking. He also asked whether the party leadership had taken any steps to identify others involved in this network.

Stalin further added that there are allegations of extortion and intimidation against TVK's elected representatives, including district and union-level office bearers. He referred to audio and video clips circulating on social media in which party workers are heard asking for money. Along with this, he stated that some party members have sent "obscene messages" to women.

Questioning the Chief Minister's administrative style, Stalin said that the post of Chief Minister is not a job from 10 AM to 5 PM and running a government is not like acting in a film. He added that it is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to answer the questions of the public and the media.

Stalin termed the DVAC investigation at the premises of former Minister K.N. Nehru as politically motivated. He alleged that this search is being conducted to divert people's attention from the flaws of the TVK government and to create social media reels for the former Tiruchirappalli by-election. He expressed confidence that attempts to pressure DMK would make the party stronger and said, "The more pressure you put on us, the higher we will rise. This is the DNA of DMK."

The program was held to thank Stalin for his role in the establishment of Periyar Arivulagum. Dravidar Kazhagam President K. Veeramani described the center as a significant contribution to promoting learning and rationalist ideology.