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The AIADMK leader als accused the Chief Minister of “recklessly announcing schemes” under Rule 110 without fiscal backing.
Palaniswami also dismissed the state government’s reliance on social media optics. (PTI/File)
As Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders push their party chief for the national role, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday took a jibe at Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay and said the latter could even go on to become the President of the United States.
Responding to a reporter’s query about TVK supporters projecting CM Vijay as a future Prime Minister, Palaniswami said, “He could even become the President of America. There is nothing wrong with it, it is his wish.”
The remarks by some TVK leaders sparked a rift in the ruling alliance, with Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar even threatening that two Congress ministers would resign if Vijay’s party did not support Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Palaniswami also dismissed the state government’s reliance on social media optics. “They are running the government by putting out ‘reels’ here; that won’t work there.”
He also branded CM Vijay a “costly Chief Minister,” and contrasted the current administration’s expenditure with that of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
“During Amma’s tenure, projects were inaugurated via video conferencing to cut costs,” Palaniswami said, mocking the irony of Vijay projecting a humble farmer image while indulging in such expensive travel.
Shifting focus to the state’s administrative machinery, Palaniswami alleged a complete breakdown in governance.
The AIADMK leader further accused the Chief Minister of “recklessly announcing schemes” under Rule 110 without fiscal backing. He warned that if the state continued borrowing at the current rate, its debt could balloon to Rs 10 lakh crore.
AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran also launched a sharp attack on Vijay, saying an actor cannot behave in politics as if on a film set. He alleged that the state government is relying on social media “reels” and empty publicity rather than governance.
Dhinakaran claimed that the administration has failed to deliver on its primary electoral assurances.
“Even after entering politics, he conducts himself every day, from leaving his residence to returning, as if he is on a cinema shooting set. That may be a lingering habit from the past, but state administration cannot be run as reels,” Dhinakaran said.
Criticising the recent opening of the Mettur Dam, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader, who hails from the Cauvery delta region, claimed the Chief Minister took the decision without consulting farmers’ associations.
“A continuous flow of water for 25 to 30 days is essential to sustain delta agriculture during severe drought conditions. Opening the shutters without adequate assessment or consultation offers no real benefit to the farming community and remains a purely publicity-driven exercise,” he stated.
Quick Answers
Ask News18C Joseph Vijay has not made any personal declaration about his national political ambitions, nor has he publicly commented on the debate or indicated that he wants to be projected as a prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 elections.
Ask News18About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
September 01, 2026, 8:32 PM IST
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