C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the presence of political leaders, supporters, and thousands of enthusiastic fans of the actor-turned-politician.
Rahul Gandhi and Other Leaders Attend Ceremony
- Among the prominent leaders present at the swearing-in ceremony was Rahul Gandhi.
- The event marked a major political transition in Tamil Nadu politics, ending decades of dominance by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
TVK’s Electoral Performance
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by Vijay in February 2024, contested 233 Assembly constituencies without any formal alliance.
The party secured around 1.7 crore votes out of the total 4.9 crore votes polled in the 23 April 2026 Assembly elections and won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Following the election results announced on 4 May, Vijay secured support from:
- the Indian National Congress,
- Communist Party of India,
- Communist Party of India (Marxist),
- Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi,
- and Indian Union Muslim League,
allowing him to form the government.
The Governor formally appointed Vijay as Chief Minister on 9 May with instructions to prove his majority in the Assembly on or before 13 May.
A New Political Chapter in Tamil Nadu
The swearing-in of Vijay and the formation of the TVK-led government marks a major shift in Tamil Nadu politics after nearly five decades dominated alternately by the DMK and AIADMK.
When launching TVK in February 2024, Vijay had stated that political power was necessary to bring social, economic, and political reforms. He also pledged to oppose corruption and divisive politics based on caste and religion.
Rise of a New Political Alternative
Vijay’s entry into politics has attracted significant support from:
- young voters,
- cinema fans,
- and first-time political participants.
The rise of TVK has created a strong alternative political platform in the State, though analysts believe the party’s organisational structure and ideological positioning are still evolving.
For now, however, TVK under Vijay’s leadership has emerged as a major political force capable of keeping both the DMK and AIADMK out of power in Tamil Nadu.