MK Stalin (former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party) condemned the remarks made by newly sworn-in Chief Minister Vijay regarding the state's financial situation. Vijay claimed that the previous DMK government left Tamil Nadu with a debt of ₹10 lakh crore (approximately $1.2 trillion USD) and emptied the treasury. In response, Stalin asserted that the state has sufficient funds and urged Vijay to focus on effective governance rather than misleading the public. He highlighted the DMK's efforts in implementing welfare schemes despite challenges like COVID-19 and natural disasters. Stalin expressed hope that Vijay would learn to fulfill his promises to the electorate, emphasizing the importance of transparency in governance. Vijay, in his inaugural address, pledged a new era of governance focused on secularism and social justice, and he committed to publishing a white paper detailing the state's financial status for the period of 2021–2026. The recent elections marked a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, with the TVK party ending the long-standing dominance of the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) by winning 108 seats.