Actor-turned-politician Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after TVK’s breakthrough electoral debut. The result marks a shift away from decades of Dravidian party dominance in the state, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay took oath as the thirteenth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, with the ceremony conducted by Governor R. N. Ravi at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event was attended by senior political leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with members of Vijay’s family and figures from the film industry such as Trisha Krishnan.
Nine other leaders from TVK were also sworn in as ministers, forming Vijay’s first cabinet. Ahead of the ceremony, Vijay received the Governor at the venue and introduced him to the ministers-designate.
The swearing-in follows the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, in which TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member House in its first electoral contest. While the party fell short of the majority mark, it later secured support from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League, enabling it to form the government.
The election outcome marked a departure from Tamil Nadu’s long-standing political pattern, with both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam losing power. The result has been widely seen as a significant moment in the state’s political history.
Vijay, often referred to by supporters as “Thalapathy”, drew large crowds during the campaign, with some comparisons made to former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran. His entry into politics continues a trend of film personalities transitioning into public office in the state.
TVK was founded in 2024, although Vijay had long been associated with social initiatives and public engagement. His political messaging has frequently focused on issues such as corruption and social welfare.
In the election, Vijay contested and won from two constituencies, Perambur and Trichy East, and is expected to vacate one seat in line with electoral rules.
