Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay following his swearing-in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, calling the development a milestone for the southern Indian state and expressing optimism about future Malaysia–Tamil Nadu cooperation. The message, posted on X, came as Tamil Nadu witnessed its most significant political realignment in nearly six decades.

Anwar Ibrahim's Message to Vijay

In his post on X, Anwar Ibrahim wrote that he "warmly congratulates my friend Vijay on being elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu." The Malaysian Prime Minister drew a playful parallel to Vijay's cinematic past, noting: "For many years, his adoring fans watched him defeat corrupt politicians and assorted villains within three hours… The people of Tamil Nadu have now entrusted Vijay with a responsibility far greater than any role performed on screen." Anwar also invoked Vijay's popular political slogan "Oru Viral Puratchi" (one-finger revolution), signalling awareness of the grassroots movement that propelled the former superstar to power.

The Swearing-In Ceremony

Vijay, president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was sworn in on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, in a ceremony administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Nine ministers also took the oath alongside him, constituting the new council of ministers. The ceremony drew high-profile attendance, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, film personalities, party workers, and thousands of supporters. Authorities deployed heavy security across Chennai, with intensified vehicle checks and strict access control around the venue.

Historic Political Shift in Tamil Nadu

The swearing-in marks a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics — a non-Dravidian party has come to power in the state for the first time since 1967. For nearly six decades, governance alternated between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), with no third force ever breaking through at the state level. The TVK-led alliance secured the backing of 120 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly, comfortably crossing the 118-seat majority mark, despite falling short of an outright solo majority.

Significance and What Comes Next

Political observers view the development as a major realignment in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, long dominated by Dravidian ideology and its two principal parties. Vijay's rise — from one of India's biggest box-office draws to a state chief minister — represents an unprecedented crossover. Notably, this is also the first time a sitting Malaysian Prime Minister has publicly addressed a newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister by name, reflecting the large Tamil diaspora presence in Malaysia and the cultural ties between the two regions. How Vijay governs — and whether his administration can translate electoral momentum into policy delivery — will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.