Stalin said, “I extend my hearty congratulations to Mr. Vijay, leader of the victorious Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam, who has now assumed the honored role of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I also welcome the proclamations that you signed soon after assuming office.”“Don’t just start saying that the government doesn’t have money. Everything is there. What is needed is the will to give money to the people and the ability to govern,” he said.Stalin said his government has implemented many welfare schemes despite facing challenges like the Covid pandemic, floods and what he termed neglect by the BJP-led central government.“In your very first address you mentioned the allegation that the previous government left behind a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore and emptied the treasury before leaving. Tamil Nadu’s debt level is within acceptable limits,” he said.The comments come after Vijay announced that his government may release a white paper on state finances to ensure transparency.In his first speech after taking oath as chief minister, Vijay said, “After reviewing everything, I intend to release a white paper for the people. I want my government to be a transparent government.”“As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, if I have to meet someone, I will not do it secretly or behind closed doors. Whatever I do, I will do it openly and transparently.Also read: TVK ends DMK-AIADMK era, actor-politician Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterIn his speech, Vijay accused the previous DMK government of leaving a debt burden of more than Rs 10 lakh crore.“Today, I have seen firsthand the condition in which our Tamil Nadu government has been left. The previous government left with a debt of more than Rs 10 lakh crore. The treasury was completely emptied before they left office,” he said.“I am not saying this for effect. Only after going inside and seeing things firsthand can one understand what is there and what is not there,” he said.Vijay also vowed not to misuse public funds and said his government would give priority to education, roads, drinking water and other essential services.“Even if some people insult me, whether they are friends or enemies, all 8 crore people are still my people,” he said.“As I said earlier, I will not touch even a single penny of public money,” he said.Soon after taking oath, Vijay signed his first set of official documents, approving 200 units of free electricity supply and constituting a special task force to combat drugs and ensure the safety of women.Vijay, often referred to as “Thalapathy” by supporters, attracted huge crowds during the election campaign, leading to comparisons with the actor-turned-politician and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran.Tamil Nadu has a long history of actors entering politics, and Vijay’s rise to prominence brings back memories of that tradition following the political journey of the late Vijayakanth.Although TVK was formally launched only in 2024, Vijay had long been involved in social work and often addressed socio-political topics such as corruption and the drug menace through his films.In the 2026 assembly elections, Vijay won from both Perambur and Trichy East and is expected to vacate one of the two seats.