C Joseph Vijay, popularly known as 'Thalapathy', was sworn in as the ninth chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, May 10, 2026, marking a historic political milestone. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief led his party to a landslide victory in its maiden assembly election, securing the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member house.
Grand Ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, attended by prominent political figures and thousands of supporters. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was present, signaling national attention to this new political chapter. Front-row seats were reserved for Vijay's parents, S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shobha Chandrasekhar, who watched their son take the oath of office.
Cabinet Formation
Alongside Vijay, nine ministers were sworn into the new Tamil Nadu cabinet. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar approved the list of ministers recommended by Vijay ahead of the ceremony. Notable among them were TVK leaders S Keerthana, K A Sengottaiyan, and Aadhav Arjuna, who each took oath as cabinet ministers.
Vijay's Vision for Tamil Nadu
In his first speech as chief minister, Vijay declared, 'A new era of real, secular, social justice starts now.' He announced key decisions including 200 units of free electricity for households and measures to enhance women's safety, setting the tone for his administration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay, stating he would continue to work with the Tamil Nadu government.
Actor-Politician Legacy
Vijay's political rise draws comparisons to former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran, who also transitioned from cinema to politics. Known as 'Vaathi' and 'Thalapathy' to his fans, Vijay drew massive crowds during the election campaign, reviving Tamil Nadu's tradition of actor-politicians. His swearing-in marks the beginning of a new political era in the state.
