Tamil Nadu witnessed a historic political moment on Sunday as actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay officially took oath as the new Chief Minister of the state. The grand swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai at 10 AM, drawing thousands of supporters, political leaders, celebrities, and party workers from across the state.
With this victory, Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has ended the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu politics. The rise of Vijay from one of Tamil cinema’s biggest superstars to the Chief Minister’s chair has become one of the most dramatic political transformations in recent Indian history.
The ceremony was conducted in the presence of Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and his cabinet ministers. Along with Vijay, nine ministers also took oath as part of the new coalition government.
The atmosphere outside the stadium resembled a festival. Thousands of fans gathered with TVK flags, posters, and cut-outs of Vijay, celebrating what they described as the beginning of a “new Tamil Nadu.” Heavy security arrangements were made around the venue as massive crowds poured into Chennai to witness the historic event.
TVK Secures Majority with Coalition Support
Although TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, it initially fell short of the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. The party won 108 seats, while the majority requirement stood at 118 seats.
However, within days of the election results, Vijay managed to gather support from multiple opposition and regional parties to form the government. The coalition eventually crossed the majority mark with the support of:
- Congress – 5 MLAs
- CPI – 2 MLAs
- CPI(M) – 2 MLAs
- VCK – 2 MLAs
- IUML – 2 MLAs
With the backing of these parties, TVK secured the support of 120 MLAs, comfortably crossing the required majority figure.
Political analysts are calling this alliance one of the most unexpected developments in Tamil Nadu politics, especially considering TVK contested its first-ever Assembly election only recently.
Rahul Gandhi’s Crucial Role in Government Formation
One of the biggest talking points in the political circles has been the role played by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in helping Vijay form the government. According to sources close to the negotiations, Rahul Gandhi was actively involved in discussions with Congress leaders and regional allies to ensure support for TVK.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly viewed Vijay as a strong secular and anti-BJP force capable of reshaping Tamil Nadu politics. Congress leaders believed supporting Vijay would strengthen opposition unity in South India and create a fresh political alternative in the state.
Rahul Gandhi was also present at the swearing-in ceremony in Chennai and was seen greeting Vijay warmly before the event began. His attendance signaled the growing political partnership between Congress and TVK.
Political observers say Rahul Gandhi’s backing played a key role in convincing smaller parties like the CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML to extend support to Vijay. Without this coalition-building effort, TVK may have struggled to cross the majority mark.
From Cinema Superstar to Chief Minister
Vijay’s political rise has been extraordinary. Popularly known as “Thalapathy” among fans, he spent over three decades as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars before formally launching TVK. His political speeches focused heavily on issues like corruption, unemployment, social justice, drug abuse, and education reforms.
His popularity among youth and middle-class voters translated into massive electoral support during the 2026 Assembly elections. Many analysts compared Vijay’s political journey to former Tamil Nadu leaders like M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa, who also transitioned from cinema into politics.
Unlike traditional political campaigns, Vijay’s rallies attracted enormous crowds resembling movie celebrations. His fan clubs, which had existed for years across Tamil Nadu, became the backbone of TVK’s grassroots political machinery.
First Announcements After Taking Oath
Soon after assuming office, Vijay signed several key files and announced priority measures for the state government. These included:
- 200 units of free electricity for eligible households
- Formation of a special anti-drug task force
- New initiatives focused on women’s safety
- Employment generation programs for youth
- Strengthening government schools and healthcare systems
The announcements received loud cheers from supporters gathered outside the stadium.
A Historic Shift in Tamil Nadu Politics
Vijay’s appointment marks the first time since 1967 that Tamil Nadu will be governed by a leader outside the traditional DMK-AIADMK political framework. Many believe this election reflects a strong desire for change among voters, particularly young people.
For now, all eyes are on how Vijay performs as Chief Minister and whether his government can deliver on the promises made during the election campaign.
As fireworks lit up the Chennai skyline and supporters danced on the streets, one thing became clear — Tamil Nadu politics has entered a completely new chapter under the leadership of C. Joseph Vijay.
