'Fresh beginning, new era': Vijay tells Tamil Nadu after oath

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday said he will be the sole "power centre" in his led government, and sought to identify himself as a commoner from humble origins, PTI reported.

Vijay said he was well aware of poverty and hunger as he was born as the son of an ordinary assistant film director who aspired to win in cinema by working hard.

In his maiden speech, the CM assured there will be only one power centre in his regime and that will be only him. Further, a new beginning, a new era has started.

"There is only one centre here, the centre under my leadership. A centre on this side, a power centre on that side, another power centre there - none of that exists, I'm telling you right now," he said.

Further, he said, "I do not hail from any royal lineage, I am like you and I am like one among you, one among your family," he said adding he was feeling like one of them, their son or brother.

Apparently, he was underscoring that he did not have the backing of any big established political family.

He added: "It is a fresh, new beginning. A new era of real, secular, social justice starts..." Vijay paused, looked down, pointed at his wrist watch and added with a dramatic flourish: "Now!" This statement was greeted with thunderous applause, cheers and whistles.

Vijay was sworn in as CM of Tamil Nadu, after his party TVK won the April 23 polls and clinched outside support to cross the 118 majority mark.

Since the people also felt that Vijay was one among them, they gave him the top position in cinema and now when he entered politics to repay the debt of gratitude to the people, they accepted his leadership with love and gave their unwavering support.

Vijay said that in his political journey, he and his supporters endured many difficulties and humiliations. Thanking the people for standing with him through hardships and insults, he said he too was an ordinary man living a normal life and not an angel.

"As I have said before, I will not deceive you by making false promises," he said and added that he had confidence in achieving even pretty difficult tasks with the support of crores of people.

"I have to tell you about the current status of the Tamil Nadu government. The state has been burdened with a debt exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore and the treasury has been completely emptied, leaving an unbearable burden." He said his party-led government was taking over the responsibility only under such a situation.

His idea was to assess the current state of affairs thoroughly and then release a White Paper, striving for a transparent government and then proceed forward.

Vijay assured that he would be transparent and open.