Chennai: A new era has dawned in Tamil Nadu politics today. Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay (Joseph Vijay) took the oath as the 9th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a grand ceremony held at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
This moment is being hailed as a milestone in the state’s history, as, after a long hiatus of 59 years, a government formed by a third party—distinct from the dominant DMK and AIADMK—has come to power in Tamil Nadu.
Constitutional Propriety, the Role of the Raj Bhavan, and Evolving Standards of Journalism
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay. Along with Vijay, 9 other ministers were also sworn in, who will form part of his new cabinet. Several prominent national leaders, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, attended the ceremony.
In the 2026 Assembly elections, Vijay’s party, the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest force in the state.
Total Seats: 234
Majority Mark: 118
TVK Seats: 108
To form the government, Vijay secured the support of coalition partners. He holds letters of support from a total of 120 MLAs, which he submitted to the Governor on Saturday.
Parties Extending Support:
Congress: 05 Seats
CPI: 02 Seats
CPM: 02 Seats
VCK: 02 Seats
IUML: 02 Seats
A Historic Shift: A Two-Decade Journey, A Two-Year-Old Party
Since 1967, the reins of power in Tamil Nadu have remained exclusively with two Dravidian parties: the DMK and the AIADMK. In 1967, the DMK ousted the Congress from power, and following MGR’s split from the party in 1972, these two parties had been alternating in governance. With a party that is merely two years old (TVK), Vijay has broken this cycle, leaving political analysts astounded. The Next Challenge: The Test of Majority
Upon appointing Vijay as Chief Minister, the Governor has granted him time to prove his majority. Vijay must secure a vote of confidence (Floor Test) in the Legislative Assembly by May 13, 2026.