All Eyes On Vijay: Can TVK Keep Tamil Nadu's Economic Momentum Intact? Tejas Mehta Weighs In

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:00]Tamil Nadu already one of India's strongest manufacturing and EV hubs is expected to push even harder on the industrial expansion electronic semiconductors and global supply chain integration. So, what are the markets corporates and investors watching most closely? Will political continuity really enjoy economic continuity and which sector stand to gain the most under the new governments? To decode this, I'm being joined by Tejas Mehta, political analyst on the show. Welcome to the show, Tejas.

[00:00:30]Having me.

[00:00:31]So, Tejas, you know, how significant are these transitions politically for Bengal and Tamil Nadu? And do you expect continuity in governance style or visible shifts in the administrative priorities? Because markets generally, you know, prefer stability. So, do these transition offer continuity or uncertainty from a from an economic standpoint?

[00:00:53]From an economic standpoint, I think Bengal is where the focus will lie because, I mean, it's at one point it was the engine of the economic growth in India and now it's a far cry from that. The left for so many years did really I mean, it went it slided completely, you know, and was down in the last two three states of India and it's you know, it slided down further with Mamata Banerjee. Though there was some you know, recovery initially at least. But I think the promise Bengal holds is immense.

[00:01:27]It should not just be you know, a state for lectures to you know, migrate out of. You know, it should be a state where others come in. So, I think the potential is immense. I think the markets also have reacted you know, in a positive sense especially after the win. And I think the BJP has huge huge responsibility because this is not just about politics and a change in the mindset of people.

[00:01:53]This is about bringing in real growth and Bengal, you know, can really do that, but uh you know, you will have to really put in policies, have a strong government, and that's where Suvendu, you know, Adhikari really comes in.

[00:02:07]Suvendu has been somebody who has been a minister, who has, you know, knows governance, and is uh seemed to be a a strict administrator. So, I think with BJP winning Bengal, I think there is huge hope that, you know, the the slight down of this absolutely great state, there will be some sense of revival as far as, you know, the economy and development is concerned.

[00:02:32]Yes, absolutely. You know, you're bang on that point that Suvendu is the right leader who can really, you know, streamline the progress in the state. And is well, you know, that brings me to the opposition parties that are continuing to remain aggressive in Bengal. So, could political confrontation really intensify further after the swearing-in ceremony? What are you really anticipating on that front?

[00:02:57]I mean, many have, you know, blamed Bengal's so-called, you know, culture of politics. I don't believe that's the case. I think, you know, violence is something which absolutely can be controlled. I remember as a young journalist, a very senior officer telling me that if the if the administration really wants, if the police really wants, they can crack down on any sort of violence, be it communal riots, be it political violence. So, this is the sense of, you know, you know, goondagardi which they claim it came down from the left, and then the cadres of the left, the Mamata Banerjee's TMC, picked up that. I think it it can easily be stopped. It has to be stopped because otherwise, this is this there's this endless, you know, sense of instability which is not really good for any any state or city.

[00:03:48]Tejas, [snorts] in fact, you know, what according to you is the political messaging that these two governments are trying to send through their cabinet choices and first announcement, you know, in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu alike?

[00:04:05]Tejas >> I think of course they will be, you know, yeah, I think they will first of course reward those who have been with the party because it's been you know, a battle for the BJP for the last 15 years. Those who have made brought in you know, great change and of course they would try and you know, try and get some sort of representation of all parts of Bengal. I think as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, I mean TVK is close certainly getting the magic number of 118. But I still think formally, you know, the papers and the governor want to see it on paper and therefore he's still not been invited as far as I can recall by you know, the governor. So I think it's still you know, a little distance away. I think he's much closer to the finish line and I do think he should be the next chief minister or his at least TVK should be leading the alliance as a single party in our biggest party. It has that right.

[00:05:06]As far as the other formations around AIADMK and DMK, I mean there are conversations and conversations. It will be absolutely absurd. And I I think the right thing to happen is for TVK to ensure they get all the required numbers on paper and then submit it to the governor and I think that would really end this entire you know, you know, this suspense over who the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu is going to be.

[00:05:35]But if it's going to be Vijay, which is most likely, I think it's going to be extremely challenging for somebody who has not ever, you know, held any administrative post. I think that's also the criticism against Rahul Gandhi that you want to become Prime Minister when you're not even been a minister first.

[00:05:50]So, it's a great thing for anybody to actually, you know, get that sort of experience. But of course, this is his political journey has been completely different from Rahul Gandhi. He just started politics, you know, a year ago and is now at the, you know, at the at the at the footsteps of becoming the Chief Minister of next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. So, fascinating journey, but hugely challenging for him and his party.

[00:06:16]With no experience at all, you know, in the political domain and then taking charge as the Chief Minister of the state, that's a big responsibility with no with no experience, so to say. So, that will be really interesting and fascinating to watch out for.

[00:06:33]But you know, Tejas Just to add one point, you know, I know people will be worried about policies because Tamil Nadu is one of the main, you know, economic hubs and engines of India. So, along with Maharashtra. So, I think all eyes would be on on what happens to that. I don't think too much changes.

[00:06:48]Remember, you know, Himakshi, that governments are while the papers are finally signed by ministers, at the end of the day, it's the bureaucrats who also know how to run a government. So, and they don't I mean, unless the government really wants to dramatically change schemes and policies, I don't think he's going to really, you know, change all of that. I think what the change he will probably bring is in in welfarism, in other areas where political influence or political, you know, decision-making is more important than a babu's. But as far as, you know, economic policies are concerned, I think Tamil Nadu has been on the right track.

[00:07:30]It can certainly, you know, improve and that's where TVK should be looking at.

[00:07:35]Also, Tejas, I would just like to understand that could industrial growth and employment sentiment become the defining political issue in Bengal, you know, going forward.

[00:07:50]I mean, you have promised a lot of jobs, so the BJP will have to, you know, bring out something from there. But, you know, you have to remember that I mean, especially you know, from Bengal, you know, I see an extremely different culture in many parts of you know, other parts of India where nobody wants to enter into a government job. Everybody wants to do enter into a corporate job or do you know, start some business of their own, be an entrepreneur. Government jobs are not at all the priority. So, I think government jobs can only be as so many as, you know, the government can really, you know, you know, make those jobs, but there aren't so many jobs and in in fact, there are so many vacancies also.

[00:08:31]So, that problem is never-ending. I think Bengal has to, you know, a mindset change has to happen where entrepreneurs come out, where you have, you know, in investment coming in. I I I think even the Probashi Bangla, you know, the one who is in in the in UK and who is in in the West and a lot of them also could be looking back at home with West Bengal to, you know, bring in some money, bring in some leadership, bring in, you know, some entrepreneurial qualities so that you know, Bengal can have also the private sector chipping in. How long can the government really, or central government keep chipping in?

[00:09:07]So, I think it's time really for, you know, those seeds of entrepreneurship to be sown in Bengal on the soil of Bengal, which of course, we all do is extremely fertile. Also, very quickly, Tejas, like a rapid-fire round, you know, very quickly, one immediate policy priority for Bengal and Tamil Nadu, according to you.

[00:09:31]I think as far as Bengal is concerned, the fiscal deficit has been extremely high. I I think they have to get that in control because and that's true for many states in India.

[00:09:42]And as far as the I think Tamil Nadu is concerned you know, it has to broaden its you know, the the base of its you know, factories because they are generally located in a certain area or a belt. I think a wider you know, expanse would cover many different parts of Tamil Nadu also. It is spreading but you know, I think a more widespread growth of Tamil Nadu will see lots more lot more development happening in different parts of the state.

[00:10:15]Quickly one sector to really watch out for in Bengal and Tamil Nadu according to you especially after the regime change.

[00:10:24]Well, Tamil Nadu of course has been a huge hub for you know, the auto sector so I know it is a difficult time for everybody especially what's happening around the world and the instability and the supply chains being hit but I think Tamil Nadu will will augur well from you know, ensuring that that those policies really continue. See, it's difficult to bring in you know, dramatic changes and I don't expect TVK to do that in the first six months and thankfully even MK Stalin DMK chief has said that I'm going to let him be for a while at least. So, he is mature in that sense.

[00:11:02]So, and I don't think TVK is going to really you know, be doing dramatic things right at the start because at the end of the day they promised change. That's what they have brought but you know, as far as economic development is concerned, it is bereft of largely most often political differences and ideologies.

[00:11:23]So, as far as yes, welfareism is concerned, that's going to be a big issue too because how far can you know, governments keep continuing with the welfareism freebies whatever you want to call it. So I think there's a distinction between that welfareism is important and I think DVK would continue focusing on that too.

[00:11:43]>> Right, right Tejas. So clearly both Bengal and Tamil Nadu are entering politically important transition but beyond the politics the biggest story could you know well be economic execution. Thanks thank you so much Tejas for joining us on this special discussion.

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