TVK government will last 50 years, says TN minister Rajmohan
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity Rajmohan on Sunday, 24 May firmly rejected opposition speculation about the stability of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led coalition government, asserting that the administration under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay commands strong public support and is built to last. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Rajmohan declared the government would continue for 50 years — a rhetorical flourish aimed squarely at critics who have repeatedly questioned the coalition's longevity.
Dismissing Opposition Doubts
Rajmohan noted that similar scepticism had surfaced even before the Assembly elections, with political rivals predicting that TVK would fail to come to power. Those predictions, he said, proved wrong — the alliance not only formed the government but also secured a decisive people's mandate. He expressed confidence that the administration would comfortably complete its current five-year tenure and retain public goodwill well beyond it.
The minister attributed the government's political durability to its sustained focus on governance and public welfare, arguing that delivery on ground-level issues would continue to strengthen the ruling coalition's standing among voters.
Law and Order: Government's Response
Addressing opposition allegations over the law-and-order situation in the state, Rajmohan said the government had been implementing preventive measures from its first day in office. He said the police department had been systematically identifying sensitive areas across Tamil Nadu and deploying precautionary strategies to prevent crime and maintain public safety.
Awareness programmes and enhanced surveillance have been rolled out at multiple locations as part of a broader security framework, the minister added. Referring specifically to the recent Coimbatore incident that drew public concern, Rajmohan said authorities acted swiftly and the accused were arrested without delay — pointing to it as evidence of the government's commitment to law and order.
Congress Alliance Shift and the DMK Critique
Rajmohan also took aim at the principal opposition party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), over its remarks concerning the Congress's decision to move from the DMK-led alliance to the TVK alliance. He accused the DMK of viewing political partners through a 'feudal mindset', arguing that political parties have the sovereign right to independently determine their alliances and strategic direction.
This comes amid a broader realignment of Tamil Nadu's opposition landscape, with the Congress's switch representing a notable shift in the state's coalition arithmetic ahead of future electoral cycles.
Speaker Weighs In on AIADMK Dispute
Separately, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar addressed questions about the ongoing factional dispute within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) over Legislature Party leadership. He confirmed that representations submitted by both rival factions were under examination and said an appropriate decision would be announced in the Assembly at the proper time. The Speaker affirmed his commitment to neutrality in handling the matter.
With the TVK government consolidating its position and opposition parties regrouping, Tamil Nadu's political landscape is set for continued contestation in the months ahead.