Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday, 10 May congratulated Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay on being sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, describing the new government's formation as a reaffirmation of the state's deep-rooted ideals of self-respect, social justice and rational thought.

Kharge's Message to the New Chief Minister

In a post on X shortly after Vijay's swearing-in ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, Kharge extended his "heartfelt congratulations and best wishes" to the new Chief Minister, the TVK, and its alliance partners.

"The formation of this government reaffirms the enduring strength of self-respect, social justice, empowerment and rational thought — values that have long defined Tamil Nadu's political and social consciousness," Kharge said in his post.

He further expressed confidence that Vijay would carry those ideals forward through governance focused on public welfare and inclusive development. "I am confident that under his leadership, these ideals will continue to guide governance and inspire the nation," he added, wishing the new government success in serving the people "with compassion, inclusivity and commitment."

Invoking Tamil Nadu's Ideological Legacy

Kharge invoked the ideological legacy of social reformers Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, noting that Tamil Nadu had consistently stood for empowerment, inclusivity and rationalism. He said the emergence of the new administration reflected the enduring strength of progressive values that have historically shaped the state's political and social landscape.

He also highlighted that millions of people across Tamil Nadu — especially young and first-time voters — had placed their faith in Vijay and the TVK during the Assembly elections.

A Historic Shift in Tamil Nadu Politics

The TVK-led alliance secured the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, comfortably crossing the majority mark. The result ends nearly six decades of alternating rule between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the state — a seismic political realignment by any measure.

Vijay's swearing-in was attended by senior political leaders, film personalities and thousands of supporters, underscoring both the scale of the TVK's mandate and the broad coalition of goodwill the new Chief Minister commands.

What Comes Next

With the Congress extending formal support and goodwill from across the political spectrum, the TVK government now faces the task of converting electoral momentum into governance outcomes. Observers will watch whether the new administration's stated focus on social justice and inclusive development translates into early policy action — particularly on youth employment and welfare, the twin pillars of the TVK's campaign.