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C. Joseph Vijay Sworn in as Chief Minister of Indian state of Tamil Nadu

May 10, 2026 • 11:16 UTC Mumtaz Ahmad 5 min read

CHENNAI, India — May 10, 2026 — Tamil film superstar C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, on Sunday, May 10, in a historic ceremony that ended nearly six decades of uninterrupted Dravidian party rule in the state.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 51-year-old actor-turned-politician at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Thousands of supporters gathered at the venue, chanting “Mudhalvar” (“Chief Minister” in Tamil) as their leader took the oath.

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The swearing-in marks the first time since 1967 that a party other than the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has come to power in the state.

Formation of a Coalition Government

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a party founded only two years ago, emerged as the single-largest party in the April 23 state assembly elections, winning 108 of the 234 seats. Though TVK fell short of the 118-seat simple majority, the party secured unconditional support from key allies including the Indian National Congress (5 MLAs), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

Led by VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and IUML national president Khader Mohideen, the allies extended their support to reach a total of 120 legislators backing the TVK-led coalition.

Nine Ministers Sworn In Alongside Vijay

Alongside Vijay, nine other leaders from TVK were sworn in as ministers in the party’s first cabinet. The ministers include N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K.A. Sengottaiyan, K.G. Arunraj, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthana.

First Administrative Actions

Shortly after taking the oath, Vijay signed his first official order providing 200 units of free electricity to households, fulfilling a key electoral promise. Addressing the gathering, the new Chief Minister emphasized his focus on basic issues including education, ration supplies, healthcare, drinking water, roads, and bus facilities.

“I am not from a royal political background, just a common man,” the 51-year-old leader told the crowd.

Political Reactions and Congratulations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay on assuming office, expressing best wishes for his tenure and affirming continued cooperation between the central and state governments.

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“Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of people,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

Celebrity Response and Public Enthusiasm

Vijay’s transition from cinema to full-time politics drew widespread attention. Several prominent celebrities, including actor-politician Kamal Haasan and actor R. Madhavan, congratulated him on his new role.

Thousands of TVK supporters celebrated across the state by bursting crackers and distributing sweets in various cities.

Actor-Turned-Politician’s Rise

Vijay, popularly known as ‘Thalapathy’, began his career as a child actor in 1984. Observers have drawn comparisons between his political rise and that of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, another film icon who went on to lead the state.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of actors transitioning to politics, including M.G. Ramachandran, J. Jayalalithaa, and more recently, Vijayakanth. Vijay’s emergence with a new political formation has been viewed as the next major chapter in this tradition.

The new chief minister has been asked to prove his majority in the assembly on or before May 13. The full ministry is expected to be expanded in the coming days, with additional cabinet appointments anticipated.

SOURCES / INPUTS

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