TVK embraces Periyar's social ideals, not his atheism: Vijay in Assembly

Chennai,UPDATED: Jun 23, 2026 11:30 IST

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday told the Assembly that while his party had embraced the broader social principles of Periyar EV Ramasamy, regarded as the father of Dravidian politics, it did not share his views on atheism and the rejection of religious belief.

Drawing a distinction between Periyar's rationalist position and his own party's stand, Vijay said, "Periyar's rejection of religious belief is not something we accepted, but we fully embraced his broader principles. We have always made it clear that we are not opposed to anyone's ideology."

Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's Address, Vijay said his government drew inspiration from a mix of ideological influences, including Periyar, Dr BR Ambedkar and former Tamil Nadu chief minister K Kamaraj.

He added that his government had accepted Dr Ambedkar's ideals of equal opportunity and social justice and had taken Kamaraj's model of honest administration as its guiding principle. "We accepted Dr Ambedkar's ideals of equal opportunity and social justice. We adopted Kamarajar's model of honest administration as our guiding principle," he said.

In his speech in the Assembly, Vijay also defended his party's political journey, highlighted its performance in the 2026 Assembly election, and said it had emerged as a major force after contesting without an alliance. He spoke about the challenges faced by his party, compared his administration with those led by CN Annadurai and MG Ramachandran, alleged corruption under the previous government in the name of a "party fund" -- triggering a DMK walkout -- and responded to remarks about the Left parties amid the protest.

Vijay said his party had made a clear distinction between political opponents and ideological opponents, and argued that those who described it as merely an actor-led outfit had failed to understand how it had developed.

"Most people start a political party first and then go to the people. We went to the people first and only then started our party. Those who fail to understand this are the ones who dismiss us as merely an actor's party," he said.

Referring to the 2026 Assembly election, Vijay said his party had fought on its own and secured 35 per cent of the vote, polling 17.2 million votes. "In the 2026 election, we contested alone without any alliance. Since the people understood us clearly, we secured 35 per cent of the vote. We received 17.2 million votes and emerged as a major independent political force. That is why we are now sitting in government," he said.

He also spoke about the difficulties faced by his party during its rise and criticised what he said were attempts to hold it responsible for unrelated events. "In Karur, 41 people lost their lives, and the blame was placed on us. Is this how politics should be conducted?" he asked.

Positioning his administration as one belonging to ordinary people, Vijay compared it with governments led by Annadurai and MG Ramachandran. "Just as there was a government of ordinary people under Anna and a government of very ordinary people under MG Ramachandran, this government under Vijay is a government of the most ordinary people," he said. He added that his party had broken barriers of religion and caste in the 2026 election.

During the speech, Vijay also alleged that large-scale corruption had taken place under the previous government under the guise of a "party fund."

Responding to remarks concerning the Left parties, he said they had joined his alliance on their own and not out of compulsion. "Left parties say they joined us on their own, not under anyone's mercy. I don't understand what they are saying," he said, as the DMK staged a walkout.

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