CM Joseph Vijay meets DMK chief Stalin ahead of floor test

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met DMK chief MK Stalin and MDMK founder Vaiko ahead of the crucial Assembly floor test on May 13. The meetings came days after Vijay criticised the previous DMK regime over the state’s debt burden

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday called on his predecessor and DMK President MK Stalin at the latter’s Alwarpet residence here, days ahead of the crucial floor test the government is slated to face.

After winning the polls and assuming office as chief minister, this was the first time Vijay met Stalin and the visit was described by government sources as a “courtesy call.” Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin accorded a warm welcome to CM Vijay.

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The meeting came a day after Vijay sharply criticised the previous DMK regime over the Rs 10 lakh crore debt burden on the state. He had also indirectly hit out at the DMK for “multiple power centres” and asserted that he was the only power centre in his TVK regime.

DMK chief Stalin had hit back at Vijay over his remarks on the debt burden.

Later, Vijay called on MDMK founder Vaiko.

Vijay’s brief meeting with Stalin and Udhayanidhi comes days ahead of the crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to demonstrate the TVK regime’s majority strength in the House on May 13. VCK, IUML and the Left parties that have extended support to the TVK are part of the DMK-led front.

The Congress, which has extended support to TVK, is a former ally of the DMK. The party has five MLAs in the 234-member House.

In the Assembly, TVK has 107 seats after Vijay’s resignation from Tiruchirappali East, along with the support of 13 MLAs from the Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties.

On Monday, Udhayanidhi initially welcomed Vijay with a handshake and a warm embrace upon the Chief Minister’s arrival. Later, Stalin also hugged Vijay, held his hands and escorted him inside the house.

Vijay and Stalin honoured each other with silk shawls and bouquets. Udhayanidhi presented a book on the historic political journey of the DMK, “Kalathin Niram Karuppu Sivappu-DMK 75.”

The meeting comes after an acrimonious electoral battle between the DMK and Vijay’s TVK ahead of the April 23 polls, which the latter won.

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 Chief Minister 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 major leader after the elections and that the polls 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.”