Pricey Chief Minister-elect C. Joseph Vijay:

Greetings and the warmest felicitations in your stellar victory.

Might you may have a resoundingly profitable innings as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

I’m a voter in your – and my – State however I used to be not among the many practically 35% of those that voted for you on the23rd of April. I used to be among the many 65 % who didn’t vote for you.

And I used to be going together with the acquired knowledge that stated ‘Vijay is attracting yongsters however that won’t get him seats…These will go the place they’ve historically gone…’

So, because the figures tumbled out on 4 Might, I used to be duly startled. Concurrently with being startled got here the thought : He’s new, which implies he’s inexperienced however which additionally means he’s contemporary, un-co-opted by the corrupt crony, the crafty conman.

However I requested myself when you had been being informed some truths, some dwelling truths, by somebody who has no axe to grind. I used to be undecided you had been.

And so, esteemed Chief Minister-elect simply as I took the freedom to put some ideas earlier than the just-elected M.Okay. Stalin 5 years in the past, I take the freedom to do the identical earlier than you:

1. You have got received the vote ; you might be but to win the all-important floor-test within the Home. It is crucial that you simply make the protective of India’s federal and secular material your precedence primary. Let the State underneath you stand for the mariadai of the Structure’s fundamental construction. Let no panic about saving your chair make you compromise on that.

2. What, it might be requested of you, is your ideology? Let that not faze you. Inform them : ‘My ideology is “No ideology” ’. And add: “It’s following my manasaatchi’ (the witnessing conscience).

3. Enter the Home as Vijay in each sense of the time period however do not forget that triumphalism doesn’t make for good apparel, studiousness does. M.Okay. Stalin, whom you might be succeeding, represents a venerable considering custom of an entire group’s self-respect, which EVR Periyar bequeathed and Perarignar Anna nurtured. That is of a motion’s ardent effort to result in equality of alternative in a society riven by prejudices, patriarchy and pleasure. His assertion of departure issued as he was shedding and also you had been successful, is statesmanlike. You have got what he doesn’t: a contemporary slate. He has what you don’t: an skilled stylus to put in writing with. Please don’t let the dialectical luxurious of what’s Dravidam and what’s not detain you. He’s your predecessor, not your predator. You’re his successor, not his supplanter. Regardless of your rejection of a lot in his politics and his authorities, do not forget that within the core of federal selfhood an secular egality, you might be each on the identical web page. Take heed to him on that web page. And let Udhayanidhi Stalin’s presence within the Home be for you an amazing duet, not a grim duel. The 2 of you, younger and charismatic, will be Nadal going through Federer — a swinging abilities per guidelines of the game.

4. Solely three of your 108 MLAs have been Legislators earlier than. The remaining might study from these three and from seniors going through them , together with in what to not do! There are however 5 Congress MLAs within the new Home. Bear in mind, please, that they’re of the occasion that the karmayogi Perunthalaivar Kamaraj led.

5. A sensible phrase : Please deal with officers within the Secretariat as your colleagues not your subordinates. They’re usually within the mistaken impression that sycophancy is service. Rid them of that mistaken impression by telling them what the nice Sardar Patel, as Residence Minister did, as did Rajaji in all of the positions he held — inform them to supply with out worry their frank view, their goal recommendation.

6. Lastly, please, as head of the Authorities of Tamil Nadu, as throughout the State maintain good, clear, environment friendly governance and foster financial progress, with environmental safety as a major precedence, past the State, grow to be a beacon for a hate-free, fear-free and simply India. If I’ll finish on a private observe. It’s the first time that in you, a Christian heads the federal government of this State. Rejoice that present of future as God’s intervention for Tamil Nadu’s nice secular credentials. Let nobody inform you to mute down or understate that legacy. Valluvar wouldn’t need you to.

I want you greater than success , greater than vettri, Vijay. I want you – fulfilment, Chief Minister. God pace.

Your fellow citizen,

Gopalkrishna Gandhi