Six months into its rule, TVK-led government enjoys public goodwill despite concerns about it being directionless

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay handing a free travel pass to a woman at the launch of the Vettri Payanam scheme.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government, which completed six months in office on Monday (November 9, 2026), appears to be largely enjoying the goodwill of people, even though concerns are being raised about the regime’s tendency to be directionless.

Though Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, on his very first day in office, had declared that he had inherited an “empty coffer,” the government has been continuing with all the major welfare measures. The “precarious” financial condition did not come in the way of his government carrying out some other steps such as the extension of the breakfast scheme for school students, the provision of gold rings to babies born at government hospitals, the distribution of eight-gram gold coins and silk saris to eligible women, and the expansion of free travel for women on buses of the State Transport Corporations.

Reports of a “marked reduction“ in corruption regarding government appointments, transfers, and public services have impressed many observers including former Union Minister P. Chidambaram and UN diplomat-turned-political writer R. Kannan. In an interview with this newspaper a couple of months ago, Mr. Chidambaram stated: “I also understand that sanctions for the appointment of teachers in [government-aided] schools and colleges have been sent by post.” According to Mr. Kannan, “transparency remains the Vijay administration’s strongest asset.” The ruling party’s national spokesperson, Americai V. Narayanan, says: “He [Mr. Vijay] does not do things to please others or earn applause. He does them because he genuinely believes in them. In politics, where symbolism often outweighs conviction, that distinction matters.”

Notwithstanding the general perception about the government‘s integrity, the two Dravidian majors — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — have been unsparing. One of the areas of their attack is on the power front, where the current regime had, ironically, begun with the increase in the quantum of free power to 200 units bimonthly to domestic consumers subject to the overall consumption not exceeding 500 units. The regime’s plans for power purchase on a short-term basis at a higher cost has raised questions about the government’s competence.

DMK president M.K. Stalin and AIADMK’s Amma Peravai secretary R.B. Udhayakumar wondered when Keralam could buy electricity at lower price, why Tamil Nadu has not been able to procure at comparable rates. Besides, even the lower price has triggered a controversy in the neighbouring State.

It is not only on the power front where the government is found on a weak wicket but also on many other policy matters. On the issue of wooing industrial investment, the Opposition’s attack has not been firmly rebutted by the government. As for the TVK regime’s project of building a new Secretariat complex, there has not been any categorical statement from the Chief Minister on the controversy triggered by it, though his Ministerial colleagues, at times, make different observations.

“The new government often appears directionless, evidenced by hasty decision-making and conspicuous silence on controversial issues,“ Mr. Kannan observes. He adds that moving forward, the priority must shift from perpetual campaigning to effective governance.

A senior citizen, who calls himself a “well wisher“ of the ruling party, points out that “a structured, periodic forum for district and block-level leaders would help. Without it, the party could pay a price in the forthcoming local body elections.”

Even as the TVK government faces a host of challenges in sustained governance, it is also expected to fulfil its key electoral promises such as the increase in the monthly assistance for women to ₹2,500.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam / All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam / Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam / state politics / Tamil Nadu