‘People’s welfare is absolute highest priority’: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay at Independence Day event

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay, emphasized on Saturday that the welfare of the people is the supreme priority during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George. Unfurling the tricolour, Vijay declared that his administration operates transparently, truthfully, and honestly.

Vijay reiterated that compromising on public life is unacceptable and the state's ruling party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will always oppose such attempts. In his first Independence Day speech, he expressed that "people’s welfare is the absolute highest priority," regardless of any opposition.

The ruling TVK party, which won the April 23 assembly polls, formed the government with the support of Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League, and the Left parties. Vijay hailed the people of Tamil Nadu for their support, emphasizing that they transcended caste, religion, and material considerations by granting the government an overwhelming mandate.

Guided by the principle of equality, Vijay highlighted his government's focus on eliminating corruption, bribery, and substance abuse. The Amma Unavagam breakfast scheme, initiated by the previous Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa, is being expanded to cover a broader age group. Additionally, the breakfast scheme will now be offered to students in Classes 6-8, starting from September 15.

The CM also announced several measures for ex-servicemen, freedom fighters, and their families. Marriage assistance for the two daughters of ex-servicemen has been increased from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000, while monthly assistance for differently-abled ex-servicemen and their dependents has risen to ₹7,000. The monthly pension for freedom fighters has been raised to ₹23,000, and the family pension will increase to ₹12,500.

The political atmosphere was charged when BJP Tamil Nadu chief Nainar Nagenthran made remarks targeting Vijay at a party event in Chennai. Nagenthran questioned the eligibility of a candidate by implying they couldn't find a father figure, prompting a backlash from opposition parties, including the BJP. BJP Minister A Rajmohan denounced Nagenthran's remarks as uncivilized, while former BJP president K Annamalai labeled them as "third-rate" politics that should not be encouraged.