Are you up to it, 😎👊 bro?! Here is a “PRIORITY TO DO LIST” for incoming Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Government

Based on my own assessment of the “State of the State of Tamil Nadu”, and as an ordinary voter and citizen, I am offering below gratis a “Priority To-do-List” for Vijay Joseph, both at the macro and micro level theatres of Tamil Nadu economy and polity.

1. First of all there is the “Triple Threat” of fiscal, political, and social instability. As of May 2026, these issues have peaked, creating a high-stakes environment for the new TVK-led administration.

Gist of the Key Challenges

• Fiscal “Debt Spiral”:
  Tamil Nadu has become India’s most indebted state, with outstanding liabilities projected to reach approximately ₹10.71 lakh crore by March 2027. High interest payments (over ₹60,000 crore annually) are draining funds away from critical sectors like education and healthcare.
• Strained Union-State Relations:
  Tensions are at an all-time high over federal autonomy and a perceived lack of cooperation from the Union government regarding GST devolution and project approvals (like Chennai Metro Phase-II).
• The TASMAC Dilemma:
  While liquor sales generate over ₹48,000 crore in annual revenue, the system is plagued by allegations of a ₹1,000 crore scam involving kickbacks and illegal overpricing (the “₹10 extra” per bottle issue).
• Mafiadom & Resource Theft:
  A multi-crore sand mining scam (estimated at over ₹4,700 crore) has led to massive Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations and environmental degradation. The “mafia” influence extends into real estate and illegal quarrying, which often suppresses local activism through violence.
• Drug & Narcotics Menace:
  There is a growing public outcry over the penetration of synthetic drugs and narcotics into schools and colleges, which is now viewed as a major threat to the state’s social fabric.
• Cauvery Water Conflict:
  The recurring “water war” with Karnataka continues to be a flashpoint, especially during deficit years, threatening the livelihoods of farmers in the Cauvery Delta region.
• Industrial Stagnation:
  Despite high-profile MOUs, the state is struggling with declining actual investment conversion and a silent unemployment crisis, where only a fraction of promised jobs from Global Investors Meets have materialised. 

Managing a state with a legacy as rich and complex as Tamil Nadu’s is certainly going to be a “trial by fire” for C. Joseph Vijay).

Beyond the critical issues mentioned above —like the debt burden, mafiadom, and water sharing—here are several more “impact hurdles” he will most likely if not surely face:

1. The “TANGEDCO” Crisis & Power Reforms

The state’s power utility, TANGEDCO, is a major contributor to the state’s fiscal strain, with a reported debt of approximately ₹1.35 lakh crore to ₹1.8 lakh crore. 

• The Problem: High interest payments on these debts consume a massive portion of the budget.
• The Challenge: He must balance the need for periodic tariff hikes (to curb further debt) with the political promise of free or subsidized electricity for agriculture and low-income homes. 

2. Graduate Unemployment & Skill Mismatch

While Tamil Nadu has a high enrolment in higher education, it faces a severe “educated unemployment” crisis. 

• The Issue: Nearly 40% of graduates under 25 are reportedly unemployed, and many face a skills-job mismatch in high-tech sectors like EV manufacturing and AI.
• The Challenge: Transitioning from “degree-based” education to “skill-based” training to ensure the youth can actually work in the state’s growing industrial hubs.

3. Urban Flooding & Climate Resilience

Many Cities, like Chennai and Thoothukudi have repeatedly suffered from devastating floods.

• The Issue: Rapid, often unplanned, urbanization has blocked natural drainage systems.
• The Challenge: Implementing a long-term integrated stormwater drain network and protecting wetlands (like Pallikaranai) from encroachment while managing the influx of rural migrants.

4. Demographic Shift & Aging Population

Unlike northern states, Tamil Nadu’s working-age population is projected to peak soon and then decline (from 66.4% in 2021 to 63.6% by 2036).

• The Issue: An increasing “elderly dependency ratio” will put immense pressure on public healthcare and pension systems.
• The Challenge: Managing the fiscal cost of social security for the elderly while maintaining productivity with a shrinking young workforce. 

5. Managing Migrant Labor Integration

The state’s industrial growth (the “China Plus One” strategy) relies heavily on migrant labor from other states.

• The Issue: Migrant workers often lack social security, decent housing, and stable wages, leading to potential social tensions or labor rights issues.
• The Challenge: Ensuring fair labor standards and social integration to prevent the “hire-and-fire” culture from destabilizing the local labor market. 

6. The “Hung Assembly” & Coalition Management

The 2026 results suggest a hung assembly, with the TVK reportedly winning around 107–108 seats, just short of the 118 needed for a majority. 

• The Issue: As a newcomer, Vijay will have to transform from a “crowd-puller” to a “coalition-builder”.
• The Challenge: Balancing the demands of coalition partners (potentially smaller parties or independents) while trying to fulfill his own party’s manifesto promises. 

7. Modernizing MSMEs

While the state is a hub for automobiles and textiles, its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are struggling with high input costs and outdated technology. 

• The Challenge: Providing credit and tech upgrades to MSMEs, which are the largest employers in the state, to keep them competitive against global markets. 

So, there you have it, Mr Joseph Vijay, your big job as it is now cut out for you!

If you want to be the real-life great hero that you have been all along in the cinema-screen reel-life , you will have to make a real impact in tackling, with a sure and effective touch, each of the above challenges that’s been laid out for you.

The people of Tamil Nadu will be watching … Are you up to it, 😎 👊 bro?!

Sudarshan Madabushi