CHENNAI: Years of fan worship, political speculation and blockbuster charisma culminated in a historic swearing-in Sunday as TVK chief C Joseph Vijay assumed office as Tamil Nadu's 18th Chief Minister at the head of a fragile but numerically secure coalition. He became the first politician from a non-Dravidian party to occupy Fort St George since 1962.
Oath Ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Governor R V Arlekar administered the oath at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium before a roaring crowd of TVK cadre, film personalities and alliance functionaries. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi sat beside Vijay, underscoring the coalition arithmetic that brought the new government to office. Nine ministers, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and KA Sengottaiyan, were sworn in alongside the 51-year-old Vijay.
Roars of 'Thalapathy' drowned out traffic and protocol in Chennai as the state watched another film star become Chief Minister. For lakhs of fans raised on his punch dialogues, the line from the 2012 film 'Thuppakki' - 'I am waiting' - suddenly sounded less cinematic. His wait is over, as is his fans'.
Vijay's First Address and Orders
In remarks seen as aimed at internal factions, Vijay declared there would be only 'one power centre' in TVK on his watch. 'If anyone thinks that after victory they can misuse power, erase that thought immediately,' he said.
Minutes after assuming office, Vijay signed orders granting up to 200 units of free electricity to houses using less than 500 units. He cleared formation of a 'Singappen' special task force for women's safety and ordered anti-narco units in all districts and cities.
Rewriting Tamil Nadu's Political Grammar
In Tamil Nadu politics, swearing-in is rarely a mere formality. Every element carries a message. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's swearing-in on Sunday was no different, reports Ram Sundaram.
The guest list reflected the unusual coalition behind Vijay's rise. Retired IAS officer U Sagayam, known for his anti-corruption image, attended the event. So did lottery baron Santiago Martin, who faces money laundering charges, as his son-in-law Aadhav Arjuna took oath as a minister. Martin's wife, Leema Rose, elected on an AIADMK ticket, was also present, though other AIADMK functionaries stayed away. In another surprise, M K Alagiri's daughter Kayalvizhi attended despite the DMK brass skipping the ceremony. BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran and ex-governor Tamilisai Soundararajan were also present despite TVK's alliance with Congress. The front row carried a personal touch. Vijay's parents, filmmaker S A Chandrasekar and Shoba, were emotional, while actor Trisha Krishnan made her first public appearance since the controversy over her appearance with Vijay at a wedding in April.
Vijay's trademark opening - 'En nenjil kudiyirukkum...' (who lives in my heart) - and his appearance in a suit signalled a break from traditional Dravidian political imagery of veshtis, starched shirts, and colour-coded cadres. The loudest moment came when Vijay delivered the oath from memory in a performance-style cadence.
About the Author
Ram Sundaram: Ram M Sundaram is an Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Chennai, where he covers commute, trial courts, and political affairs.
