In a historic political upheaval that dismantled nearly six decades of Dravidian duopoly, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay (popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay) was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu today, May 10, 2026. The high-profile ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, where the 51-year-old leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) took the oath of office in front of thousands of cheering supporters and national dignitaries.
The Mandate of Change
The TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections, securing 108 seats. While falling short of the 118-seat majority mark, Vijay successfully stitched together a coalition by gaining support from several key allies:
- Total Support: 120 MLAs, including legislators from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML.
- The Fallen Giants: Outgoing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin (DMK) lost his seat in Kolathur to TVK’s V.S. Babu, while the DMK alliance was reduced to 73 seats and the AIADMK-led alliance to 53 seats.
- Vijay’s Victory: Vijay himself secured wins in both the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies.
The Oath-Taking Ceremony
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Vijay and nine cabinet ministers. The event was a massive spectacle, attended by notable figures including:
- Political Leaders: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
- Film Industry: Veteran actor and MNM founder Kamal Haasan, along with other celebrities like Pooja Hegde and Trisha Krishnan.
The new Chief Minister has been directed by the Governor to prove his majority via a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13, 2026.
While the atmosphere was celebratory, media reports noted the absence of Vijay’s wife, Sangeetha, and his children at the event amid reports of a personal rift.
The Road Ahead
Vijay’s rise marks the first time since 1967 that a party other than the DMK or AIADMK has taken power in the state. Positioning himself as a direct alternative to “corruption and divisiveness,” his government now faces the challenge of fulfilling the immense expectations of a youth-driven electorate that voted for a complete systemic shift.
With the swearing-in complete, the focus now shifts to the Fort St. George, where the new administration will begin its first day of governance tomorrow.
