Vijay Hits Back at "Actor's Party" Critics, Pledges NEET Scrapping in Assembly

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday strongly defended his government and party during an address in the State Assembly, rejecting criticism that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam was merely an "actor's party." In a speech that touched on education, language policy and the party's political journey, Vijay highlighted the electoral mandate secured by his party and reaffirmed its commitment to key campaign promises.

Referring to the Assembly elections held earlier this year, Vijay said the TVK had overcome numerous challenges and obstacles to emerge as the single-largest party in the state. The party subsequently formed the government with the support of the Congress and other smaller allies. He stressed that the victory was not achieved easily and was the result of sustained effort and public support across Tamil Nadu.

Responding to critics who questioned his political credentials and administrative capability, Vijay said both he and his party had faced conspiracies, restrictions and persistent criticism before coming to power. He noted that despite these challenges, the party secured approximately 35 per cent of the vote and earned the trust of the people. According to the Chief Minister, the government remains focused on fulfilling its responsibilities rather than responding to political attacks.

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A significant portion of Vijay's speech focused on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), a long-standing issue in Tamil Nadu politics. He argued that the examination system creates inequality among students and reiterated his government's opposition to the national medical entrance test. Vijay maintained that educational opportunities should be more inclusive and accessible, particularly for students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

The Chief Minister also reaffirmed Tamil Nadu's commitment to the two-language policy, a position that has historically been supported by several political parties in the state. Without naming specific opponents, Vijay criticised what he described as attempts to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states and emphasised the importance of protecting linguistic diversity and regional identity. He said the state government would continue to uphold its existing language policy.

The speech marked one of Vijay's most comprehensive political interventions since assuming office and underscored the key themes that have defined his administration so far. By linking issues such as education, language and social equity, the Chief Minister sought to reinforce his government's political narrative while signalling that it intends to remain firm on matters it considers central to Tamil Nadu's interests and identity.

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