In a landmark moment for C. Joseph Vijay and Tamil Nadu politics, the C. Joseph Vijay—founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam—took oath on Sunday as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after his party’s dramatic debut election success.
The oath of office was administered by R. N. Ravi Arlekar at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where thousands gathered to witness one of the most significant political transitions in the state’s recent history. Senior political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, along with members of Vijay’s family and actress Trisha Krishnan, were present at the ceremony. The swearing-in took place on Sunday and marked the formal beginning of the new government.
Historic mandate reshapes Tamil Nadu politics
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election produced a major political shift. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, emerging as the single largest party in its very first electoral contest.
The result is historic because it broke the decades-long dominance of the state’s two principal Dravidian parties. For the first time in modern Tamil Nadu politics, both legacy formations were pushed out of power.
Although TVK fell short of the majority mark on its own, support from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and Indian Union Muslim League helped Vijay secure the numbers required to form the government.
Nine ministers join Vijay’s first cabinet
Along with C. Joseph Vijay, nine ministers were sworn in as part of the first TVK 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.
Before the ceremony began, Vijay personally welcomed R. N. Ravi Arlekar and introduced him to the ministers-designate, underlining the symbolic beginning of a new political chapter in the state.
From cinema icon to chief minister
Popularly known as “Thalapathy,” C. Joseph Vijay has long been seen as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars.
His rise has often drawn comparisons with M. G. Ramachandran, the actor-turned-politician who reshaped Tamil Nadu politics decades ago.
Since launching Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in 2024, Vijay steadily built political momentum through social outreach, issue-based public interventions, and a campaign focused on corruption, youth aspirations, and governance reform.
In the 2026 election, he won from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East and is expected to vacate one of the two seats.
A new phase begins
Vijay’s swearing-in is widely being seen as more than just a change of government — it signals the arrival of a new political force in Tamil Nadu.
The larger challenge now will be governance. With coalition support, a first-time administration, and high public expectations, the real test for C. Joseph Vijay begins after the electoral spectacle. But his rise has already altered the political map of the state in a way few expected.
