Tamil Nadu verdict: Let Vijay form government, will watch, won’t disturb for 6 months, says MK Stalin

CHENNAI: DMK will wait for TVK chief C Joseph Vijay to form govt, and “watch without disturbing for six months”, outgoing CM MK Stalin told TOI on Wednesday.

Indicating that DMK didn’t want a constitutional crisis or another election soon, Stalin said he expected the new govt to continue schemes introduced by his govt, besides fulfilling the promises TVK made in its election manifesto.

“The new govt should continue with the free breakfast scheme for schoolchildren,” he said when asked what topped his priority list. “And ‘Kalaignar magalir urimai thogai’ (Rs 1,000 monthly allowance to women heads of households).” When pointed out that Vijay had promised Rs 2,500 to women, Stalin said it would be difficult to keep that promise. “Give them at least Rs 1,000 as we did.”

His govt fulfilled 90% of the promises the party made in its 2021 manifesto, the DMK president said, adding some like discontinuing NEET couldn’t be done because of Centre’s control.“In this election too, we promised only those things we could deliver. I don’t think TVK will be able to fulfill its promises (referring to six free LPG cylinders a year to each family of ration card holders),” he said, adding, “Senjaal magizhchi (we will be happy if they do).” Stalin had a steady stream of visitors at his residence from early Wednesday.