Vijay continues outreach

Chennai: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday continued his outreach to parties that backed the TVK-led govt by visiting the Congress headquarters at Sathyamurthy Bhavan and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) office in Chennai, where leaders described his moves as a sign of political civility in Tamil Nadu politics. He also called on former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugam and VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan.

At Sathyamurthy Bhavan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai welcomed Vijay with a shawl and referred to him as "Tamil Nadu's Thalapathy" while addressing cadres gathered at the venue. AICC leader Praveen Chakravarthy and AICC Tamil Nadu poll in-charge Girish Chodankar were also present during the meeting.





The visit drew large crowds of Congress workers at the party office, with cadres raising slogans in support of Vijay. Selvaperunthagai later said Congress MLAs would back TVK in the floor test. On the AIADMK's internal developments, he said, "We can't say what they will do, but the truth will come out in another few days."

Selvaperunthagai also welcomed the Tamil Nadu govt's decision to shut TASMAC liquor outlets near places of worship and educational institutions. "This is a good decision for the people," he said.

Vijay later visited the IUML office, where he told party leaders that it was his duty to personally thank them for extending support to the govt. He also assured them that the TVK govt would function as a secular govt.

Addressing reporters later, IUML leader Kader Mohideen said Vijay's visits to parties across the political spectrum should be welcomed in Tamil Nadu politics. "Whether parties supported him or not, he has been visiting all party offices and exchanging goodwill. This should continue and become a model in future politics," he said.

Responding to questions on reservation for Muslims, Mohideen said the existing 3.5% reservation provided during former chief minister M Karunanidhi's tenure would continue under the present govt as well. He also said demands to raise the quota to 5% or 7% would continue to be pursued with the govt.

On support coming from parties including the BJP, Mohideen said all parties were backing the new govt because they believed it would work for Tamil Nadu. He said the IUML and other DMK alliance parties had extended "unconditional support" to the TVK govt to ensure continuity of welfare schemes introduced by the previous regime. On speculation surrounding a split in the AIADMK, he said, "Nothing has come legally so far. Only the media has been speaking about it."