CHENNAI: Ushering in a refreshingly healthy political culture in the State, newly appointed Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay called on a wide rage of senior political leaders, including former Chief Minister M K Stalin, by driving down to their homes where his gesture was reciprocated with a warm welcome and bonhomie by the political rivals and their families.
The Chief Minister’s motorcade started traversing the roads of Chennai after the completion of the swearing in of all the 234 elected MLAs of new Assembly, which Vijay witnessed by sitting through the entire proceedings in the House, before going from one house to another.
Among the top leaders Vijay visited and sought their blessings were Stalin, where he was welcomed by former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, MDMK founder Vaiko, Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss.
The ‘courtesy calls’ made by the new Chief Minister to his political rivals actually began in the Assembly in the morning as he exchanged pleasantries with former chief ministers Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam.
Stalin said that he gave his wishes and some advice to Vijay who had called on him out of political decency. Shawls were exchanged during the meeting at Stalin’s Alwarpet residence, where Udhayanidhi Stalin presented him with a book on DMK’s history titled, ‘Kalathin Niram Karuppu Sivappu – DMK 75.’
Vijay went to the Akkarai residence of Anbumani Ramadoss and also to the house of Vaiko, where he was welcomed by Durai Vaiko. The Chief Minister meeting opposition leaders reminded him of a similar gesture by DMK founder C N Annadurai, Vaiko said, adding that he had advised him to follow the path of secularism. The gesture also sent out a positive message on the need for encouraging healthy politics in Tamil Nadu, he said.
As news of the meeting of Vijay with Stalin went viral on social media with people expressing their admiration for the new culture that has been ushered into the State. Some television channels even announced debates on the development.