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The TVK government rode to power on a wave of starry-eyed fandom, but now, performance indicators like law and order are turning out to be a weak point
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met TVK legislators in batches and asked them to exercise caution and focus on discharging their duties to the people. (File image/X)
For months in a row, it appeared as though the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam took on the persona of its leader: unflappable to the extreme. No matter which issue arose, the party seemed to skate through unscathed. But of late, some tough questions are being raised and the party spokespeople’s reactions cut no ice with the audience.
Case in point: At least 11 murders were reported across Tamil Nadu on the day of Diwali, followed by two more in the next two days, raising fresh concerns over law and order in the state. Minister Rajmohan’s reaction that this is not the first year of such an occurrence added insult to injury. Opposition parties have repeatedly pointed to a rise in crime since the TVK government took charge, and the latest killings have given them fresh ammunition.
The government has also been dogged by controversies involving its own legislators. A video of TVK MLA and Deputy Speaker Ravi Shankar reportedly assaulting a resident of Trichy district had gone viral. The victim, identified as Karthik Kumar, released a video alleging that he was assaulted when he approached the MLA with civic issues such as drinking water supply and garbage collection. He further alleged that the MLA and the police threatened him to retract his statement and say he had not been assaulted. The complaint is all the more striking because it concerns basic grievances that an elected representative is expected to resolve.
The DMK has also raised the reportedly obscene text message sent by MLA Arul Vignesh to the Kallakurichi Collector, a charge that has added to the party’s discomfort at a time when it is already under scrutiny.
Against this backdrop, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay called a meeting of MLAs at a private resort in Mahabalipuram, where he issued a strict warning to the two MLAs. He met the legislators in batches and asked them to exercise caution and focus on discharging their duties to the people.
Restoring law and order and ensuring the safety of women and children were among the TVK’s key promises in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections. The opposition parties reiterate this each time a murder is reported, and every new incident makes the promise harder to defend.
The DMK has questioned the Chief Minister’s silence while his own legislators and party members are reportedly involved in assault cases. The AIADMK, too, has blamed the TVK for poor governance, arguing that the spate of crimes points to a failure to act decisively. The DMK’s campaign over flight of investments to the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is also a sore point, even though the Industries Department keeps us a constant hum of investment announcements.
At A Glance
At least 11 murders were reported across Tamil Nadu on the day of Diwali, followed by two more in the next two days.
TVK MLA and Deputy Speaker Ravi Shankar was accused of assaulting a resident of Trichy district who approached him with civic issues.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay held a meeting of MLAs at a private resort in Mahabalipuram and issued a strict warning to the two legislators involved in controversies.
Restoring law and order and ensuring the safety of women and children were among the TVK’s key campaign promises for the 2026 Assembly elections.
The TVK’s challenge is twofold. It must bring law and order under control, and it must be seen to act firmly when its own people are linked to criminal cases. Any perception of leniency towards party members could undermine its credibility on both counts.
The rising crime numbers are a wake-up call for the government. With the honeymoon period now over, will it handle the situation with care? The coming months will tell.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay convened a meeting with MLAs at a private resort in Mahabalipuram, meeting them in batches to issue a strict warning, demand caution, and emphasize fulfilling duties to the public.
Ask News18About the Author
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for yea…Read More
November 12, 2026, 18:33 IST
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