Rahul Gandhi to attend Vijay's CM swearing-in in Chennai on May 10
Synopsis
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is set to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister on 10 May, with Rahul Gandhi flying in for the ceremony. The TVK chief, who fell short of a majority alone, stitched together a 120-MLA coalition with Congress, Communist parties, VCK, and IUML — marking one of the most dramatic political entrances in the state's recent history.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive in Chennai at 8.40 a.m. on 10 May for the swearing-in event.
Joseph Vijay will take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at 10 a.m. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium .
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office.
The TVK -led bloc secured 120 MLA support, crossing the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly .
Congress, Communist parties, VCK, and IUML extended support to Vijay's formation after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections .
Full Cabinet expansion is expected at a later date following the initial swearing-in.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will fly into Chennai on 10 May to attend the swearing-in ceremony of C. Joseph Vijay as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Gandhi is scheduled to land at approximately 8.40 a.m., with Vijay set to take oath at 10 a.m. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
Ceremony Details
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office to Vijay. Several senior national and regional political leaders, film personalities, and party workers are expected to be present at the high-profile event. Heavy security arrangements have been put in place across key locations in the city ahead of the ceremony.
Vijay is expected to take oath alongside a few Cabinet members, with the full ministry likely to be expanded at a later date.
How TVK Secured the Majority
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections but fell short of a simple majority on its own in the 234-member Assembly. The Indian National Congress (INC) extended support to Vijay shortly after the election results, followed by the Communist parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), all of whom announced unconditional backing.
With the support of alliance and coalition partners, the TVK-led bloc has secured the backing of 120 Members of the Legislative Assembly, comfortably clearing the majority mark of 118 required to form the government. Governor Arlekar formally invited Vijay to form the government after alliance partners submitted letters of support to the Raj Bhavan.
Vijay's Political Rise
Political observers describe Vijay's ascent as one of the most significant political developments in Tamil Nadu in recent years. The actor-turned-politician is set to begin his first term as Chief Minister amid heightened public and political interest across the state. This comes amid a broader trend of film personalities transitioning into mainstream politics in South India — a pattern that has repeatedly reshaped the state's electoral landscape.
Notably, the Congress's decision to back TVK underscores the party's strategy of anchoring itself to regional formations in southern states where it lacks direct electoral strength.
What Comes Next
Following the swearing-in, the full Cabinet expansion is expected to be announced separately. The new government will face immediate expectations around governance delivery, given the high-profile nature of Vijay's entry into politics and the diverse coalition that has brought him to power.
Point of View
IUML, VCK — can hold together once governance trade-offs begin. Vijay's first Budget and his handling of coalition arithmetic will be the true test of whether this is a durable realignment or a one-cycle phenomenon.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is C. Joseph Vijay being sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM?
C. Joseph Vijay is being sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 10 May at 10 a.m. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office.
Why is Rahul Gandhi attending the swearing-in ceremony?
Rahul Gandhi is attending as the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and a senior Congress leader, reflecting the Congress party's role as a key supporting party that extended backing to Vijay's TVK-led coalition after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
How did TVK secure enough support to form the government in Tamil Nadu?
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections but fell short of a simple majority on its own. It secured backing from the Indian National Congress, Communist parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League, bringing the coalition's total to 120 MLAs — above the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly.
Who is C. Joseph Vijay and why is his rise significant?
C. Joseph Vijay is an actor-turned-politician and the founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Political observers regard his rise as one of the most significant political developments in Tamil Nadu in recent years, as it marks a break from the state's long-standing two-party dominance between the DMK and the AIADMK.
Will the full Cabinet be announced at the swearing-in?
No. Vijay is expected to take oath along with only a few Cabinet members at the 10 May ceremony, with the full ministry expansion likely to be announced at a later date.
