100 days of CM Vijay: Hits, misses and everything in between

C Joseph Vijay has completed 100 days in office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, marking a historic break from decades of traditional Dravidian party rule.

This election, Vijay shattered a long-standing political myth: that no actor-turned-politician could capture power this quickly with a brand new party, after MG Ramachandran. By winning in his very first electoral outing with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay rewrote the rules of the state's political landscape.

While the new administration has hit the ground running with youthful energy—rolling out fresh welfare schemes and courting investment—critics argue that inexperience is beginning to show. Growing restlessness among farmers, combined with persistent concerns over transparency, has placed immediate pressure on the cabinet.

As the honeymoon phase ends, the months ahead will test whether this political upset can translate into lasting, effective governance.

Bureaucrats appointment

In the previous DMK government, media-savvy officers like V Irai Anbu IAS (Chief Secretary) and C Sylendra Babu IPS (DGP and Head of Police Force) bagged key posts. This kept the buzz going at the administrative level.

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However, the TVK leadership faced initial challenges in selecting and managing bureaucrats. It later appointed Asra Garg IPS as the Head of the Intelligence wing and extended Sai Kumar's tenure as Chief Secretary, among other key officials.

Senior journalist T Ramakrishnan notes clear strengths, including the avoidance of rancour over ministerial berths. “This is Tamil Nadu’s first coalition cabinet in decades," he told The Federal. “There were no initial fights over who becomes minister or who gets which portfolio, neither inside the party nor with allies.”

Wider representation

Vijay's cabinet includes eight ministers from Scheduled Caste communities and two from the Brahmin community. "This has not happened in 70 years. Most of the current ministers come sans family or faction baggage," said Ramakrishnan, adding that he expects this to ease reforms that help ordinary people.

Tamil Nadu is getting a break from the "government office ennui". When it comes to punctuality, Vijay leads by example. He's at the Secretariat most days by 9 or 10 am and stays till 5 pm. Staff now arrive on time.

Public feedback points to less corruption at revenue offices, registration departments and local bodies, though it's still far from corruption-free. “This must become permanent,” Ramakrishnan said.

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Minister of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, KG Arunraj, describes the milestone as the beginning of a political change. “This is not just a change of government. It is the start of a political change. It is the 100th day of corruption-free administration. It is the 100th day of power in the hands of common people," he said.

Welfare schemes

Vijay began his chief ministerial innings with a slew of welfare schemes. He signed files for three schemes immediately after taking oath, amid much fanfare — for free power, women’s safety and drug control.

The CM then went into an action blitzkrieg. He closed 717 liquor shops near schools, temples and bus stands. He launched the Singapenn Special Task Force for women’s safety, and set up 65 special units under Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) to fight drugs and gangs.

Farmers received a crop loan waiver of Rs 6,000 crore, which, officials said, benefits about 14.43 lakh farmers. Domestic consumers get 200 units of free electricity every two months if their use stays within the prescribed limits.

The government allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the Vettri Laptop Scheme for students. Housing schemes and skill training for 12 lakh students and one lakh youth followed.

Budget, a mixed bag

The TVK government's first budget, presented by state Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, drew mixed political and economic reactions. There was strong Opposition criticism over rebranded welfare plans and missing election promises. The DMK termed it a "zero budget," with Udhayanidhi Stalin asserting that the administration merely renamed previous DMK welfare initiatives without offering a new administrative roadmap.

Critics and the Opposition also pointed out that high-profile poll assurances—such as ₹2,500 monthly assistance for women and free travel on government buses—were left out of budget allocations.

However, some allies and leaders like PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss and MDMK's Vaiko praised specific allocations for river-linking, senior citizen homes, and the Right to Public Services Act.

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Last week, the state government held the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026, securing commitments of Rs 1 lakh crore. Focus areas included data centres, electric vehicles and renewable energy. Again, the conclave attracted criticism over 'recycling' of previous MoUs, a perceived lack of original policy initiatives, and restrictions on press access.

Low on communication

Vijay has been facing recurring criticism over a bunch of issues. For one thing, he does not speak to the press. For another, he doesn't respond to or address criticisms against him.

Critics also call out what they refer to as skewed priorities. “The state faces money problems. Yet the government spends on a new Chief Minister’s office and talks of shifting the Secretariat. These steps do not match the current financial position," remarked Ramakrishnan.

Transparency is weak, he added, recalling that he tried to reach three ministers — CTR Nirmal Kumar, P Venkataramanan and S Ramesh — by phone and WhatsApp, but got no response. "The Chief Minister has not held a single press conference yet. I am not surprised,” he said. The government also often ignores opposition questions, he noted.

"On a planned Karnataka visit, ministers spoke in different voices. Vijay explained it only later in the Assembly, on August 7. He should have spoken earlier. When criticism grows sharp, police action against critics reminds many of past regimes,” Ramakrishnan explained.

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Long-term plans stay unclear. The government aims for a $1.5 trillion state economy in 10 years. Yet it has held no real discussion on how to reach that goal. No coordination committee with allies exists. TVK lacks a clear majority on its own. “It must consult partners, especially when money is tight,” Ramakrishnan warned.

Farmers’ agitation

Adding to the woes, this time, rainfall stayed low and Cauvery water flow remained poor. The Mettur dam could not release enough water, and Kuruvai cultivation in the Delta suffered. Farmers' protests continued despite the government’s announcement of a special package of Rs 134.83 crore.

The loan waiver details took time to emerge, and the full picture of who benefited remains unclear. With drought and delayed relief fuelling agitation, analysts call it the biggest headache ahead for the Vijay government.

Fresh trouble with Karnataka, which also has a new CM in DK Shivakumar, over the sharing of Cauvery waters is not helping.

Big projects moved out of TN

Tamil Nadu has also faced setbacks in attracting some major projects, with South Korean footwear maker Hwaseung, Royal Enfield, Mazagon Dock and Hindalco choosing locations outside the state. However, new investments in digital and green sectors could offer some hope.

One hundred days is a short time. The real test begins now. Can the actor who won power turn star power into steady governance? The people of Tamil Nadu will watch closely.