Cracks Appear in Tamil Nadu’s New Government as Ally VCK Questions CM Vijay Over ‘Vande Mataram’
A controversy erupted just a day after Vijay took office, with ally party VCK objecting to the order of songs played during the swearing-in ceremony.
Differences have already begun surfacing within Tamil Nadu’s newly formed ruling alliance, just a day after the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Vijay. The controversy centers around the decision to play Vande Mataram before Tamil Thai Vazhthu during the official ceremony.
The criticism came from Thol Thirumavalavan, chief of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a key ally supporting Vijay’s party TVK. Thirumavalavan questioned the move and said it violated Tamil Nadu’s long-standing tradition, where Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state song, is usually played first at official government events.
According to the VCK leader, Vande Mataram was played first during the swearing-in ceremony, followed by the national anthem, while Tamil Thai Vazhthu came later. He asked whether the change was made to satisfy the Governor or under external influence.
Thirumavalavan also raised ideological concerns over the decision. He argued that Vande Mataram has often been associated with religious and political controversies and said giving it priority had created discomfort among supporters of alliance parties.
He demanded clarification from Chief Minister Vijay on whether such a protocol would continue in future government functions or if the traditional importance of the Tamil state song would be restored.
The VCK chief also criticized Vijay’s recent statement claiming that the previous Tamil Nadu government had left behind debt worth ₹10 lakh crore and an empty treasury. Thirumavalavan argued that debt figures should always be evaluated in proportion to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and not be used to create fear among the public.
Despite the criticism, the VCK leader welcomed three major announcements made by the new government, including measures related to de-addiction, women’s safety, and free electricity up to 200 units.
He also urged the new Chief Minister to reassure the people that his government would remain secular and transparent in its policies. Thirumavalavan said that since Vijay had come to power promising “change,” he should clearly communicate his ideological stand to avoid confusion among allies and the public.
The controversy has triggered fresh political debate in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties and social media users closely watching how the newly formed alliance handles its first major disagreement.
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