100 days of TVK government: CM Vijay defines priorities, but his real test begins now

Priyanka Mukherjee / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Aug 17, 2026, 20:26 IST

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Tamil CM Vijay completes 100 days in office

For decades, Tamil Nadu politics looked like a pendulum swinging predictably between the AIADMK and the DMK. But C Joseph Vijay disrupted that familiar rhythm with his thumping entry into politics. Vijay took oath as chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026. One hundred days later, his government has released an expansive report card titled '100 Days of Governance: A Government for Generations', listing the decisions, schemes and investments that have defined its opening months.

The early picture is welfare-heavy: free electricity, farm-loan relief, gold assistance schemes, laptops, school support and rural welfare programmes. At the same time, Vijay has tried to build an investment-friendly narrative around the government, pointing to Rs 1 lakh crore in investment commitments and a push for faster approvals and more transparent administration.

Welfare first

Vijay had gone into the election with a wide-ranging set of welfare promises, and some of the most visible ones have been among the first to be implemented.

Vijayâs first 100 days

Education and housing

Education has received a sizeable share of attention too. The government says the Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme has been expanded to benefit an additional 15.14 lakh students in Classes VI-VIII across 15,414 schools.

Farmers and employment opportunities

Farmers have also been another major focus of the first 100 days. Vijay, while speaking in the assembly, announced that the government had waived agricultural loans up to Rs 50,000 within 15 days of taking office in May. This was later expanded to provide full waivers for loans up to Rs 75,000, and a Rs 35,000 waiver for loans exceeding Rs 75,000, benefiting over 14.44 lakh farmers.

Drugs, liquor and the law-and-order test

Drugs and liquor were among the issues Vijay repeatedly raised during the campaign. To curb narcotics and gang activity, the government has constituted 65 special task forces called the 'STING'. This network is tasked with dismantling syndicate supply chains, clearing drug networks near educational institutions, and tracking organized gang activity. It has also shut 717 state-run TASMAC liquor shops located near schools, temples and bus stands.

Free power: An early manifesto promise delivered

Free electricity was among the first promises that Vijay-led TVK government delivered soon after assuming office. His government announced 200 units of free power every two months for domestic consumers using up to 500 units.

Investment push

If welfare has been one side of Vijay's first 100 days, the other has been an attempt to show that Tamil Nadu's investment story remains on his government's agenda.

Karur still casts a shadow

Vijay's first 100 days have also unfolded under the shadow of the Karur stampede, the tragedy at a TVK rally that claimed lives of 41 people and injured more than 100.

The bigger test begins now

While the first hundred days can be enough to show what the priorities of the government but it is too soon to tell how these initiatives have worked. Vijay has also tried to make transparency part of his governance policy, with measures such as speedier plan approvals and faceless property registration.

Priyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around womenâs rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.