Beyond politics: Actor Simran reacts to Vijay meeting Stalin as Tamil Nadu CM

Actor Simran praised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's meeting with DMK president MK Stalin after the two leaders met at Stalin's residence in Chennai. Her post cast the courtesy call as a display of warmth, dignity and Tamil Nadu's democratic spirit.

In Short

• Actor Simran praiseed CM Vijay's meeting with DMK's Stalin
• Vijay met Stalin post-election, exchanging shawls and a bouquet
• Simran appreciated leadership's warmth beyond politics

Actor Simran has praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's recent meeting with his predecessor and DMK president MK Stalin, calling it a gesture that reflected "unity, maturity and Tamil Nadu’s democratic spirit." Her note came after Vijay met Stalin at the latter's Alwarpet residence on Monday in what was described as a courtesy call.

The meeting was Vijay's first interaction with Stalin after winning the Assembly elections and assuming office as chief minister. Stalin and his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, welcomed the new chief minister, and the two leaders exchanged silk shawls and a bouquet during the meeting.

Simran's note on X:

Simran shared Stalin’s post showing him extending a warm welcome to Vijay. In the caption, she wrote, "Beyond politics, it’s the warmth and dignity in leadership that truly inspires. This gesture speaks volumes about unity, maturity and Tamil Nadu’s democratic spirit (sic)."

Simran had also congratulated Vijay earlier, after he took oath as the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu. In that post on X, she had written, "Heartiest congratulations to my dear friend, the people’s leader and true Jana Nayagan, Thiru Vijay avargal, on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Today is not just historic, it marks the beginning of a powerful new era (sic)."

What Stalin said after the meeting

In his post, Stalin wrote, "Honourable Mr. Vijay, who has assumed the role of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, met me with political courtesy and received my greetings. I extended to him my heartfelt congratulations as well as my advice (sic)." During the meeting, Vijay and Stalin honoured each other with silk shawls and a bouquet. Udhayanidhi also presented Vijay with a book on the political journey of the DMK, "Kalathin Niram Karuppu Sivappu-DMK 75."

Meeting after a bitter election battle

The meeting came after an acrimonious electoral battle between the DMK and Vijay's TVK ahead of the April 23 polls, which Vijay went on to win. It also followed Stalin’s message congratulating him and welcoming the announcements made immediately after he took office.

In that earlier post on X, Stalin had said, "Don't start saying right away that the government has no money. It does have it. What’s needed is the will to give it to the people, and the ability to govern (sic)."

He had continued by saying that his government had "clearly explained" the financial position of the Tamil Nadu government in the February budget. "Didn't you know that? It was only after that you gave various promises to the people? Don't deceive the people who voted for you again and try to divert the issue!" Stalin wrote.

Vijay's massive win in Tamil Nadu

In his first major administrative decision after taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor retail outlets operating near places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands across the state.

Vijay, the 51-year-old actor-politician, took oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday after his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) scripted a stunning electoral rise to emerge as the single largest party in the state. With the support of Congress, Left parties, VCK and the Muslim League, TVK formed the first coalition government in Tamil Nadu’s history.

Vijay is expected to face a floor test soon to prove his majority in the House.

- Ends