Actor-turned-politician Vijay is all set to script a historic moment in the politics of Tamil Nadu as he takes oath as the state’s Chief Minister today. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 AM at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, where thousands of supporters and political leaders are expected to witness what many are calling a turning point in the state’s political history.
For decades, politics in Tamil Nadu largely revolved around two powerful Dravidian parties — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Vijay’s rise to power now signals the end of nearly 60 years of their uninterrupted dominance, opening a new chapter in the state’s political landscape.
The leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam managed to form a government after demonstrating majority support in the 234-member Assembly. TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the recent election with 108 seats. However, since Vijay contested from two constituencies and will vacate one, the party’s effective strength currently stands at 107.
To cross the majority mark, Vijay secured support from five alliance partners — the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League. With their backing, the alliance reached a comfortable total of 120 MLAs, giving the coalition the numbers needed to form the government.
The path to government formation, however, was not entirely smooth. For several days, political uncertainty gripped the state as TVK struggled to secure the final signatures required to prove a majority. The breakthrough came when VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan eventually extended support to Vijay, pushing the coalition past the majority mark and ending the deadlock.
Following this development, Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar formally appointed Vijay as Chief Minister-designate on May 9 after verifying the letters of support submitted by the alliance partners. Vijay visited Raj Bhavan in Chennai to stake his claim and was subsequently invited to form the government.
During the ceremony today, nine ministers from TVK will also take the oath alongside the new Chief Minister. These leaders include several senior figures who played a crucial role in the party’s unexpected electoral surge.
Despite the celebrations, the new government faces an immediate constitutional test. Governor Arlekar has directed Vijay to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly on or before May 13. The upcoming vote of confidence will be the first major challenge for the newly formed coalition.
Adding another layer of political drama, the Madras High Court is scheduled to hold a special Sunday sitting to hear a petition filed by DMK leader KR Periakaruppan. He narrowly lost his Assembly seat to a TVK candidate by just one vote and has sought an interim order to prevent the MLA from participating in legislative proceedings.
Vijay’s journey from film superstar to the state’s top political office has been closely watched across the country. For many supporters, his victory represents hope for a fresh political approach, while others remain curious about how the first-time Chief Minister will navigate the complexities of governance.
Whatever the outcome in the coming days, today’s oath ceremony marks a defining moment for Tamil Nadu — one that could reshape the state’s political future for years to come.