Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, marking a historic political shift in the state. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and his council of ministers.
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, ending decades of dominance by the DMK and AIADMK in the state’s politics. Political observers have described the development as a major turning point, with Vijay becoming the first non-Dravidian party leader to assume the Chief Minister’s office in nearly six decades.
Soon after taking charge at Fort St. George in Chennai, Vijay signed his first official files announcing several welfare measures, including 200 units of free electricity for domestic users, a special women’s safety initiative, and an anti-drug task force. In his inaugural address, Vijay promised a “new era of secular social justice” and assured citizens that his government would focusansparent and people-centric governance.
The grand ceremony witnessed the presence of several political leaders, film personalities, and thousands of supporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay after the swearing-in ceremony, while actors including R. Madhavan and Trisha Krishnan also extended their wishes.
