Overview
- Vijay celebrated his first birthday as chief minister on Monday, June 22, receiving public wishes from leaders across parties including Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- In a speech to the Assembly on Tuesday, June 23, he forcefully rejected the charge that TVK is an 'actor's party,' tracing grassroots activism back to his fan-club work and citing causes such as opposition to the CAA and support for fishermen.
- His address referenced the 2025 Karur stampede and accused opponents of politicising the tragedy, which helped trigger an uproar and a walkout by DMK legislators led by Udhayanidhi Stalin.
- Vijay sought the Speaker’s permission to perform a cinematic gesture at the end of his remarks, a staged moment that drew applause from treasury benches and produced viral clips that shape his public image.
- The speech doubled as a governance update — reaffirming opposition to NEET, support for a two-language policy, promises on women's safety and anti-corruption, and highlighting early measures — while underscoring the fragility of a Congress-backed coalition that has strained ties with the DMK and could affect wider opposition politics.