Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister After Historic TVK Victory

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Vijay took oath as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
TVK formed the government with outside support from Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML.
The 2026 election ended the long-standing dominance of DMK and AIADMK in state politics.

Chennai: Vijay on Sunday scripted one of the biggest political upsets in Tamil Nadu’s modern history by taking oath as the state’s 13th Chief Minister. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder assumed office after leading his party to a stunning electoral breakthrough in its debut Assembly election.

Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar administered the oath of office at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. The ceremony drew top political leaders, film personalities and thousands of supporters eager to witness Vijay’s transition from cinema superstar to Chief Minister.

Among those present were Rahul Gandhi, members of Vijay’s family and actress Trisha Krishnan.

Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister With Coalition Support

Along with Vijay, nine TVK leaders also took oath as ministers in the party’s first cabinet.

TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, emerging as the single largest party in the 2026 elections. However, the party fell short of the majority mark on its own and later secured support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML.

The alliance support marked a major realignment in Tamil Nadu politics. Several of these parties were previously aligned with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance but shifted support after the election results produced a fractured mandate.

The second-order impact could reshape the state’s coalition politics for years. Smaller ideological parties now appear more willing to align with emerging regional forces rather than remain tied permanently to legacy Dravidian formations.

TVK Victory Ends Decades of Dravidian Political Dominance

The 2026 election result is being viewed as a watershed moment because it broke the uninterrupted dominance of the DMK and AIADMK blocs that shaped Tamil Nadu politics for nearly six decades.

Political observers compared Vijay’s campaign appeal to former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran, another film icon who transformed fan support into political power.

Large crowds at Vijay’s rallies and his direct messaging on corruption, unemployment and governance helped TVK attract first-time voters and younger urban voters.

Unlike several celebrity-led political launches that struggled to sustain momentum, TVK converted public curiosity into electoral structure within two years of its launch in 2024.

Vijay’s Political Journey Was Built Before TVK Launch

Though TVK officially entered politics in 2024, Vijay had spent years building a public image tied to social welfare and political commentary through his films and public activities.

Many of his movies addressed corruption, drug abuse and governance failures, themes that later became central to his campaign messaging.

Vijay has also openly projected a secular political identity while embracing his Christian faith, positioning himself as an alternative to identity-driven electoral narratives.

That positioning helped TVK attract support from diverse communities and opposition parties seeking to prevent a BJP expansion in Tamil Nadu politics.

What Comes Next for the Vijay-Led Government

The immediate challenge before the new government will be coalition management and administrative delivery.

TVK’s rise was powered by anti-establishment sentiment and public demand for political change. Sustaining that momentum will now depend on governance performance, welfare implementation and maintaining alliance unity.

Vijay, who won from both Perambur and Trichy East constituencies, is expected to resign from one seat soon, triggering a by-election.

For Tamil Nadu, the swearing-in ceremony marks more than a change in leadership. It signals the beginning of a new political chapter after decades of two-party dominance.

Also Read | Vijay Tamil Nadu Government Formation Clears Majority Mark

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