'Stalin Sir!' 10 things Vijay said in Trichy, his first public meeting as CM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay returned to Trichy East — the constituency he won and will now vacate — to thank the people who voted him into power.

In a freewheeling address, he took aim at the DMK, AIADMK and Stalin with barely concealed relish, while making a few quiet promises along the way. He was greeted with loud cheers by the people who had gathered to watch Vijay's first public speech after taking over as Chief Minister

Here are ten things he said that stood out.

1. Six weeks, not six months

"It hasn't even been a month since I became CM, and people who said they would be silent for six months couldn't even stay silent for six weeks. Just 30 minutes after coming to power, they started hitting out at us. They think they are talking to us, but they are actually blaming themselves. Whatever blame they put on us, the people will see through it."

This was an obvious reference to DMK supremo MK Stalin, who had initially said his party would give the Vijay government six months before mounting any criticism.

Vijay also took a pointed swipe at Stalin for speaking against him at a wedding event shortly after the election results came in. "Pity that they even lamented at a wedding," he said.

2. A Trichy promise

Regretting the fact that he would have to give up on thwe Trichy East seat that he had won (he plans to retain the Perammbur, Chennai seat), Vijay promised that for the by-election, a Trichy resident would contest the seat.

"It's my promise to you," he said.

Also Read: 'TVK there, TRS here': Kavitha sees Telangana's Vijay moment coming

3. Soldier, not chief

Vijay corrected himself mid-sentence when referring to his new title, drawing laughter from the crowd. "You have elected me as the Mudhalvar (CM)... sorry, Mudhal Sevagan — Primary Soldier. Thank you for that. I want to extend my gratitude to all the parties that extended their support to us. Vijay and the people of Tamil Nadu are not different. Vijay is a true representative of the people of Tamil Nadu. Whether it is today, tomorrow or the day after, this is the truth."

4. Better than MGR

"You voted for me with a percentage higher than what MGR received when he first contested in the 70s. I am not comparing myself to MGR. MGR is MGR. I am just a soldier who has come in the lineage of Periyar, Anna and MGR."

Vijay added in his characteristic drawl: "The relationship between us and the people of Tamil Nadu — no one can destroy it. You (referring to DMK) tried to destroy it before we came to power. You tried to stop it. But it will never happen."

5. A vote too short

With self-deprecating wit that drew cheers, he said: "You voted me that much — but just if you had voted a little more, it would have been a little better. I wouldn't have faced those hurdles. But that's okay. In all the upcoming elections, I have the confidence that I will get your full support. Now, it is deeply embedded in my heart."

He paused and smiled. "Because in this government that you are establishing, you are going to see all the good things."

Also Read: Is BJP's Annamalai launching a new party? Cryptic posters suggest so

6. Black and white

Pre-empting critics who had been questioning his choice of attire, he said: "They have problem with me wearing the suit and ask whether I am going to wear a suit everyday. Why can't we all wear suits? Namma ellam coat poda kudaatha? (mimicking Dhanush's viral speech) Should only those in power and authority wear suits?"

He then shared the reason behind his colour choice: "I am going to wear a black and white suit. Two colours. The colours are to show that Vijay will be black and white in everything." He also said, "We all know what black represents in Tamil Nadu. One need not explain everything all the time."

7. TVK versus DMK

On his political competition, he recalled his campaign slogan. "I am telling the same thing I have said earlier: the contest is between two sides. One is TVK, the other is DMK. No one else has anything to do anymore. Before the election also those parties had no job. After the election, they still have no job. But DMK and many others have come together and have done many things to stop Vijay's rule. You all saw what happened in those five days. I was left wondering if such things were actually possible."

8. The tharkuris dig

Taking aim at the DMK, whose leaders use the phrase tharkuris ('illiterates') to describe TVK followers, Vijay said, "You called us tharkuris all the time. Now, we have made your political life a kelvikuri (question mark). They are going to make it again and again."

He then turned to the broader insult of calling his voters politically unaware. "The people voted for us without understanding politics — that's what they said. If the same people vote for them, are they good people? If the same people vote for us, are they bad people? Are these not the same people who voted for you all these years? Have they jumped from another planet and voted for you?"

Vijay also took a dig at MK Stalin's comment that people voted because of Vijay's glamour. "What kavarchi (glamour)? Am I here...," he trailed off to loud laughter.

9. Drug menace blame

He addressed the increasing criticism that there's a law and order issue ever since the TVK came to power. He blamed DMK for the state of affairs and claimed that it was the drug culture the last ruling party had developed in the state that has resulted in the menace.

"Without leaving a single village or single street, the drug culture has been spread everywhere because of DMK. If you had controlled it at the initial stage, would there have been a situation now where so many women and children had lose their lives? After doing all this, why are you blaming me?" He added that he had appointed efficient police teams and announced the inauguration of a dedicated women's protection force will take place next week.

10. A promise, plainly stated

He closed on a note of sober sincerity. "I have not come to politics to lie and deceive. I have come to politics only to stand with you. I will give you a government without corruption and bribery. I understand it will not happen in one day. It is not magic. But I will make it happen."

He signed off with a message to his critics as much as his supporters: "You are my energy force. Keep on talking, keep on talking, keep on talking. I will keep on doing the good things that the people need."