Chief Minister's Thanksgiving Address After Winning Assembly Confidence Vote

Speech delivered by Hon'ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru. C. Joseph Vijay in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly today (13.5.2026), expressing thanks after his Council of Ministers won the confidence motion moved in the House. Hon'ble Speaker, First, on behalf of our government, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the Hon'ble members who, through the confidence motion, supported and ensured the success of this government for the people — a democracy with a conscience. In the recently concluded Assembly elections, we stood before the people not as a coalition but as a single distinct force, a uniquely special force, a people's force, a force that loves the people, a force the people love. Just as the government of the common people was formed through the 1967 and 1977 elections, we had firmly told the people that the Tamilaga Vetrik Kazhagam would, through the 2026 Assembly election, likewise form a government of the common people. And the people placed their faith in us and voted decisively. That history of donning the garland of victory repeated itself. The wave of the whistle turned into a wave of victory. A one-finger revolution became a whistle revolution. Within just three years of the party's founding, the people gave us 34.92 percent of the vote — 1,72,26,208 votes — and sent the Tamilaga Vetrik Kazhagam to the Assembly as the single largest party. Within these three years since the party's founding, our absolute majority fell just a whisker short, by a very narrow margin. So, if anyone wishes to view this government as a minority government, we are happy about that too — we say it ourselves: yes, this is a minority government — a government that will genuinely uphold protection for minority communities. Not just that — this is a government meant for all people: women, children, the elderly, youth, government employees, teachers and the working classes. It is because everyone placed that trust in us that it has now been proven through this confidence motion. At this moment, in this August House, I wish to give certain assurances on behalf of our government. Guided by the ideological leaders of the Tamilaga Vetrik Kazhagam — Thanthai Periyar, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, Annal Ambedkar, Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, and Makkal Sevagar Anjalai Ammal — I assure you that this people's government will deliver a democracy with a conscience. This government will function on the basis of social justice, equal justice, equal opportunity, genuine and steadfast democracy, and secular principles of social justice. There will be no change whatsoever in this. I once again thank the leaders of all the movements, and the Hon'ble members belonging to those movements, who placed their deep faith in us and voted for us with conviction. Every religion is our religion. All people are our people. There will be no distinction here between those who voted for us and those who did not. This is a government for everyone. This is a government for the common people. This is a government that transcends the boundaries of caste and religion. This is a government that shows no discrimination. This is a government that safeguards culture. This is a cultured government. It is a government that will not hurt anyone for any political reason. In time, everyone will come to understand all of this. Hence, rather than jumping up to respond to every provocation, this is a government that will act with courage in every matter and achieve success. This is not a government formed for the sake of position or power. It is a government formed to repay the debt of gratitude to the people who trusted us. It is not a government that intimidates by flaunting power. It is a government that embraces everyone. It is not a government that shows hatred towards anyone. It is a government that loves everyone. The people matter. Only the welfare of the people matters. That is our one and only stance. I therefore once again express my gratitude to everyone who supported this democracy with a conscience. --------------- Issued By: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9