# Tamil Nadu CM Vijay vows unity, anti-graft drive in first I-Day speech 2026-08-15T09:47:11+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay hoisted the Tricolour at Fort St George in Chennai on Saturday and delivered his first Independence Day speech. He greeted Tamil people worldwide and Gen Z, calling for unity beyond caste and religious divisions. Vijay said his government would pursue transparent administration, fight bribery and protect public revenue from private diversion. He also warned, without naming anyone, that attempts to undermine his government would be defeated, Hindustan Times reports. Vijay said his government would continue Amma Canteens and the Breakfast Scheme. Times Now reports that he announced a target of a $1.5-trillion state economy by 2036, the closure of 717 TASMAC shops and a waiver of farmers’ crop loans. He said the state would cooperate with the Centre on administration while opposing policies it considers harmful to Tamil Nadu’s rights. ## Coverage - timesnownews.com - hindustantimes.com Tags: Jayalalithaa, Joseph Vijay, Tamil Nadu, TASMAC, TVK Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/vijay-vows-clean-governance-unity-in-first-independence-day-speech/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/vijay-vows-clean-governance-unity-in-first-independence-day-speech/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.