India: New Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay cracks down on state-run liquor shops

The newly elected chief minister of India's Tamil Nadu, Josephy Vijay, has ordered the closure of over 700 state-run liquor shops in his first big move since he was sworn-in two days ago, according to a press statement released on Tuesday.

What do we know about the liquor stores' closure?

A total of 717 government-run liquor retail outlets, referred to as TASMAC, that are located within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands across the southern Indian state have been directed to close in the next two weeks, the press release published on Tamil Nadu government's website said.

The statement added that the decision by Vijay's government was taken in the "public's interest".

"Taking into account the public wellfare, the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Joseph Vijay, has ordered that a total of 717 liquor retail outlets— 276 near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus depots— be closed within the next two weeks," the statement read.

Vijay had ordered a survey of shops operated by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) to identify outlets functioning near the specified areas soon after taking charge, the official release said.

The state currently has a total of  4,765 TASMAC retail liquor outlets, according to the statement.

During its election campaign, the TVK had promised a "drug-free Tamil Nadu".

From political underdog to first week as chief minister

State elections were held in Tamil Nadu on April 23.

When the results were announced on May 4, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded in 2024, emerged as the single largest party in what was its debut election. However, it fell 10 seats short of a majority in the state's 234-member assembly.

The actor-turned-politician took oath as the chief minister after garnering the numbers needed to form a government, following a days-long suspense that had both the state and the capital in New Delhi on the edge of their seats.

Vijay's ascension to the seat of power in Tamil Nadu also marks a turning point in the state's political landscape that was dominated by a duopoly of two major Dravidian parties — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) —  for almost six decades.

The leader is now due to face a crucial vote of confidence to prove his majority on the floor of the state assembly.

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Edited by: Rana Taha