Strongly defending Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, former Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) said the Congress was no “slave” to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led alliance headed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

“Just because we are in alliance with the TVK, we (the Congress party) are not slaves. Mr. Gandhi is the Prime Ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc,” he said at a press conference when asked about the statements made by certain TVK leaders in support of Mr. Vijay as the PM candidate.

The workers of every political party will speak in favour of their leaders out of enthusiasm. The TVK leaders would like to see their leader as Prime Minister, and such statements need not be given any political colour, as is being done by the DMK and BJP in Tamil Nadu, he said.

“The political situation in the country was changing, and Mr. Vijay himself will endorse Mr. Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the country,” the former Chief Minister said.

Questions Rangasamy on Statehood

Questioning the stand of Puducherry Chief Minister and AINRC founder N. Rangasamy on Statehood, the Congress leader alleged that he was never serious about getting Statehood as he was “only interested in securing his Chief Ministerial position.”

“His party is in alliance with the BJP at the Centre and in Puducherry. If Mr. Rangasamy was serious about Statehood, he should give an ultimatum to the BJP that he would resign if the demand was not met. He would never do that, as he is only interested in the Chief Minister’s chair,” the Congress leader alleged.

Mr. Rangasamy should at least now take an all-party delegation to Delhi to make a strong demand for Statehood, the Congress leader added.

The debut Budget of the C. Joseph Vijay-headed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led coalition government, presented by Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson on Wednesday (August 5, 2026), sought to strike a balance between fiscal prudence and welfare, with a focus on the empowerment of women, youth, students, and the elderly.

While some schemes based on the TVK’s poll promises found a place in the Budget, several prominent assurances, such as ₹2,500 monthly assistance for eligible women heads of families, six free LPG cylinders a year for every family, and free travel for women on all government bus services, did not figure in it.

The Budget also prioritised skill development and rural and infrastructure development. It provided substantial allocations for several ongoing schemes while rebranding some existing schemes and enhancing their allocations.

During his two-and-a-half hour presentation, Mr. Wilson said the State’s outstanding debt is estimated at ₹10.98 lakh crore in the Revised Budget Estimates (RBE) for 2026-27. The outstanding debt-to-GSDP ratio is estimated at 27.01%. The government plans to borrow ₹1,73,445 crore and repay ₹51,971 crore during the current financial year.

The State’s Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) is projected to grow by 9.78%, with Commercial Taxes contributing 68.9% of the collections, followed by Stamps and Registration (15.5%) and State Excise (6.2%).

Among the key announcements for women were the ‘Singappengal Valimaippaduthum Thittam’ to promote entrepreneurship, and the ‘Annan’s Seer’ scheme, under which eligible brides will receive an eight-gram gold coin and a silk saree, with ₹812 crore earmarked for the scheme.

The Budget also announced the ‘Vetri 150’ initiative, providing an additional 25 days of work for households upon completion of 125 days work under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM (G)].

It proposed to establish ‘Arivagam’, labelled as India’s first AI and Innovation City; the Tamil Nadu Student Housing and Infrastructure Corporation to build 200 integrated student hostels with one lakh beds; Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Schools of Excellence with residential facilities; industry-aligned skill development for 12 lakh college students and one lakh unemployed youth and declaring Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts as ‘Space Industrial Investment Zone’.

Among the major sector-wise allocations, School Education received ₹44,527 crore, followed by Rural Development (₹39,609 crore), Urban Development (₹38,715 crore), Health (₹23,357 crore), and Food and Cooperation (₹22,859 crore).

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government is facing the same predicament with regard to public finances as the first post-Independence Congress government, headed by C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), did in 1957: how to balance welfare schemes with fiscal prudence.

This, despite the passage of time and the scale of budgetary outlay having gone up manifold. Presenting his maiden Budget on June 27, 1958, then Finance Minister C. Subramaniam (C.S.) said the State would have, at the end of 1952-53, a deficit of ₹3.59 crore. According to the White Paper of the TVK regime, this year’s revenue deficit “could reach roughly” ₹90,500 crore. The new government’s first Budget is expected to be tabled in the Assembly in a few weeks.

There are, of course, differences between the early 1950s and 2026. Apart from the State being much bigger then what it is now, successive droughts had troubled the Congress regime at the time. In fact, then Govenror Sri Prakasa, in his customary address to the legislature made on the same day of the Budget presentation, had referred to the “welcome rains” in the third week of May (The Hindu, June 28, 1952). Rayalaseema, now a part of Andhra Pradesh, was a constant area of concern to those in power then.

In the field of taxation, the Goods and Services Tax, which is in its 10^th year of implementation, has virtually robbed States of their freedom to levy taxes. Only in limited areas such as petroleum and liquor do the States have the power to have taxes of their own. However, C.R. had a perceptive take: “While there need be no limit to the amount that can be spent by a Welfare Department, there is a natural limit to the growth in the revenue of the State because the latter must necessarily come out of the taxable margin in the per capita income of the citizen,” he told the Legislative Council, while presenting the Budget on behalf of his colleague, C.S. The Chief Minister made one more statement of relevance to the present times: “We can have a welfare State only if we work for it and step up production.”

On the approach towards new schemes amid a tight financial condition, Subramaniam, in a talk on the All India Radio later in the day, said: “…the transactions of last year resulted in a revenue deficit of ₹329 lakh (or ₹3.29 crore), and early enough I could sense that the current year would also show a deficit of the same order. When this position emerged, what could I have done? One course open to me was to cut down expenditure all round and put a ban on all new schemes but that is not desirable in a welfare state,” according to another report of this newspaper on June 28, 1952.

After 74 years, the TVK regime is sailing in the same boat. It appears to be clear that fiscal consolidation and the launch of welfare schemes, however limited, are “not mutually exclusive.”  Without disclosing much, a representative of the government says “we have already committed ourselves to some welfare schemes. They will continue.” 

It may be recalled that the TVK regime has committed to increasing the quantum of free electricity to 200 units from 100 units for domestic consumers consuming up to 500 units bi-monthly and waiving crop loans up to ₹75,000 taken by farmers from cooperative societies, irrespective of the size of landholdings. The “one-gram gold ring” scheme for babies born in government hospitals will be launched on September 15. Yet, the government is hopeful of achieving consolidation by, in its words, “filling in the leakages, weeding out corruption and finding avenues for additional resource mobilsation without burdening people, even while going ahead with the welfare schemes.” 

Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay has begun reaching out virtually to the families of those who lost their lives in the September 27 stampede during his rally in Karur, which claimed 41 lives.

According to sources, Mr. Vijay started making video calls to the bereaved families on Monday (October 6, 2025), expressing condolences.

Focus Tamil Nadu: Why Vijay can’t shirk responsibility over Karur stampede
| Video Credit:
Thamodharan B.

Vijay spoke to the family of K. Sakthivel of Emoor Pudur, who lost his wife Priyadarshini (35) and daughter Dharanika (14) in the incident, the family told The Hindu. “Vijay said the loss was unbearable and expressed his deep sorrow. He told me he would visit us soon,” Mr. Sakthivel said. “He spoke for about two minutes. Party functionaries later told me I could convey any further needs directly when he visits,” he added.

Supreme Court declines plea to restrain TVK leaders’ remarks on Karur stampede

Disbursal of TVK’s solatium

Mr. Sakthivel also said TVK functionaries informed him that they would soon announce the date on which the relief amount promised by the party would be disbursed.

Vijay also spoke to the family of S. Sudhan of Pudupatti, Senthamangalam East, who lost his 22-year-old wife Brindha. “He told me not to worry and that he would come in person soon,” Mr. Sudhan said, adding that the conversation was brief.

Tamilarasan, a relative of Dhanush Kumar (25) from Sengal village, said the actor spoke to Dhanush’s mother and sister. “Vijay expressed his grief and was silent for a while over the call,” he said.

Some other families also told The Hindu that TVK cadres had approached them saying Mr. Vijay would soon speak to them personally.

Also View: A visual timeline on how Karur stampede unfolded

Party sources said that a core team of TVK functionaries has been facilitating the interactions through video calls, connecting Mr. Vijay. The cadres have requested the families not to record or photograph the calls, sources added.

Nagapattinam MLA M.H. Jawahirullah has urged the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its proposed scheme of providing gold rings to newborn babies and instead allocate the funds toward improving maternity care infrastructure in government hospitals, particularly in rural areas.

In a statement issued on Thursday (June 25, 2026), Mr. Jawahirullah, president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, said many government hospitals across the state continue to face overcrowding in maternity wards, shortages of medical staff, inadequate bed facilities, and insufficient medical equipment. He noted that women from poor and middle-income families are often forced to access childbirth services amid these challenges.

Questioning the government’s priorities, he said spending crores of rupees on gold rings for newborns raises concerns when critical healthcare needs remain unmet. He argued modern maternity wards, neonatal care units, and adequate numbers of doctors and nurses would provide far greater benefits to mothers and infants than symbolic welfare measures.

Mr. Jawahirullah said the government’s responsibility is to invest public funds in sustainable improvements that enhance people’s quality of life rather than in publicity-oriented schemes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) told the Legislative Assembly that theTamil Thaai Vazhthu (Invocation of Mother Tamil) was sung in the House after the National Anthem during the centenary celebrations of the Assembly in 2021 and that the National Anthem was rendered twice at the time — both at the beginning and end of the function.

Referring to the controversy over the rendition of the National Anthem in the Assembly twice — once at the beginning and again at the end — during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s address to the House on June 18, Mr. Vijay said it is a long-standing practice in Tamil Nadu for government and school functions to begin with the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu.

“The Tamil Nadu government has clearly conveyed its position to the Union government. There has been no change in the policy of the State government,” he said. However, the Opposition parties have been arguing it was wrong to render the National Anthem after the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu during the Governor’s Address and it was also wrong for the National Anthem to have been sung twice.

“They claimed such an event had never occurred in this Assembly before and an established convention had been altered. To those who portray themselves as champions of State rights and protectors of legislative traditions, I have only one question: do you remember what happened in the House on August 2, 2021?” he asked.

Mr. Vijay said that during the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the unveiling of the portrait of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in the House, an event presided over by the then President of India, it was announced the programme would begin with the “National Anthem followed by the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu”.

“Do you remember that it was announced the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu would be sung after the National Anthem in the very Assembly where Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), who is celebrated as Muthamizh Arignar, was honoured through the unveiling of his portrait? Wasn’t Tamil relegated to the second place then?” he asked.

He further said that during the event, the National Anthem was rendered twice. The Chief Minister also displayed the souvenir released during the function. “If these questions are raised, they will say it was an event attended by the President. Their approach is to say one thing and do another,” he said.

The Tamil Nadu government will establish the Tamil Nadu Investor Promotion Commission under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to grant fast-track approvals to companies investing more than ₹200 crore or providing employment to 5,000 persons, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said in his address to the Assembly on Thursday (June 18, 2026).

In his speech, the Governor said the government is firm that industries must grow and workers must thrive in order to achieve the target set by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5-trillion economy by 2036.

The procedures for starting industrial enterprises will be simplified to boost industrial growth in Tamil Nadu. The government will also take measures for the early grant of permissions required to start Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through a single-window system. Through these measures, Tamil Nadu will achieve rapid industrial growth and create lakhs of employment opportunities, he said.

New industrial policy

With the aim of promoting the State’s economic stability and industrial growth, while maintaining continuity with previous industrial policies, the State government will notify a new industrial policy that considers present and future requirements and offers special incentive schemes for domestic and global companies to make fresh investments in Tamil Nadu.

The government will enhance the ease of doing business environment by upgrading the single-window system into a fully digital platform applicable to all sectors and granting all permissions swiftly without any administrative delay.

When Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa arrived at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday (June 8, 2026) to meet Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, he did not expect what was in store for him: the Chief Minister immediately asked officials to bring a chessboard and played a game with him.

“I did not expect it. He [Chief Minister Vijay] asked officials to bring a board and started playing with me. I did not know he played chess. Though I won, he played well. He told me that he often plays with his friends,” said the Grandmaster.

Praggnanandhaa had emerged champion at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament recently.

Photos and videos of the Chief Minister playing chess with Praggnanandhaa have drawn widespread attention on social media and among chess enthusiasts.

The Chief Minister also presented a cheque for ₹50 lakh to him in light of his Norway win.

CM Vijay plays chess with Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa
| Video Credit:
Special Arrangement

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu Cabinet on Thursday (May 21, 2026) expanded from 10 to 33 with the induction of 23 new MLAs, including two from the Congress, making it the State’s first coalition government.

Meet the new Ministers in Tamil Nadu CM Vijay’s expanded Cabinet

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Ministers-designate at Lok Bhavan in Chennai in the presence of Mr. Vijay. With the induction of Congress MLAs into the Cabinet, the party has joined the government after 59 years.

The Cabinet expansion took place almost 10 days after Mr. Vijay and nine other MLAs, all from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), were sworn in as Chief Minister and Ministers, respectively, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on May 10.

Mr. Vijay’s Cabinet is likely to undergo one more round of expansion, as the TVK has extended an open invitation to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), both of which contested as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and have two MLAs each.

The newly inducted Ministers are A. Srinath (Thoothukudi), S. Kamali (Avinashi), C. Vijayalakshmi (Kumarapalayam), R.V. Ranjithkumar (Kancheepuram), V.K. Rajeev (Thiruvadanai), R. Vinoth (Kumbakonam), B. Rajkumar (Cuddalore), V. Gandhiraj (Arakkonam), P. Mathan Raja (Ottapidaram), K. Jegadeeshwari (Rajapalayam), S. Rajesh Kumar (Killiyoor), M. Vijay Balaji (Erode East), D. Logesh Tamilselvan (Rasipuram), A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban (Salem South), S. Ramesh (Srirangam), P. Viswanathan (Melur), R. Kumar (Velachery), K. Thennarasu (Sriperumbudur), V. Sampathkumar (Coimbatore North), J. Mohamed Farvas (Aranthangi), D. Sarathkumar (Tambaram), N. Marie Wilson (Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar), and K. Vignesh (Kinathukadavu).

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, former Speaker P. Dhanapal, Ministers, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) State secretary P. Shanmugam, and Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary M. Veerapandian, were among others present.