Chennai, May 11 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday welcomed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s decision to meet senior political leaders across party lines, describing it as the beginning of a “new political culture” in the state.

In a statement, CPI state Secretary R. Mutharasan Veerapandian praised Vijay for personally meeting veteran leaders soon after assuming office as Chief Minister and said the move reflected an effort to restore Tamil Nadu’s tradition of political dialogue and mutual respect.

“Chief Minister Vijay has initiated a new political culture in Tamil Nadu by meeting leaders of various political parties and receiving their greetings and guidance,” the CPI leader said.

Veerapandian noted that before taking the oath as Chief Minister, Vijay had met leaders of the CPI and the CPI-M to thank them for their support.

After assuming office, the TVK leader continued his outreach by personally meeting senior leaders, including Dravidar Kazhagam President K. Veeramani, his predecessor and DMK president M.K. Stalin, and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko.

The CPI leader said Tamil Nadu had in recent years witnessed a political atmosphere in which ruling and opposition parties rarely interacted cordially, and added that Vijay’s initiative could help revive the state’s democratic and political traditions.

A day after being sworn in as Chief Minister, Vijay on Monday visited Stalin’s residence at Alwarpet in Chennai following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The Chief Minister also met MDMK leader Vaiko, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, and Naam Tamilar Katchi Chief Coordinator Seeman at their respective residences.

The leaders welcomed Vijay and are reported to have shared their greetings and suggestions with the newly formed government. The meetings assume political significance as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government came to power after the Assembly elections produced a fractured mandate in the 234-member Assembly. The TVK emerged as the single largest party in the elections and later secured the support of several parties to form the government, paving the way for Vijay to become Chief Minister for the first time.

–IANS

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