C. Joseph Vijay, who was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, 10 May, moved swiftly to staff his administration, appointing two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to key roles in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Chennai. The appointments signal the beginning of a formal administrative transition following the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government's assumption of power.

Key Appointments in the CMO

P. Senthil Kumar, formerly Secretary of the Health Department, has been named Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, also designated as Special Secretary–1 in the CMO. G. Lakshmi Priya, who served as Secretary of the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, has been appointed Special Secretary–2 to the Chief Minister. According to reports, a third Special Secretary appointment is expected in the coming days.

CMO Structure Under Tamil Nadu Tradition

Traditionally, Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers are supported by three Special Secretaries alongside a Joint Secretary in the CMO, with distinct departmental responsibilities distributed among them. The current appointments fill two of those three senior aide positions, with the third slot yet to be formalised.

Vijay's First Hours at the Secretariat

After his swearing-in ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Vijay proceeded to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by the police. Senior officials welcomed him and briefed him on administrative formalities. Officials present noted that Vijay appeared visibly emotional before occupying the Chief Minister's chair for the first time. Senior minister K.A. Sengottaiyan was seen encouraging him to take his seat, following which Vijay smiled before formally assuming office. Assembly Secretary Srinivasan congratulated the new Chief Minister, and senior IAS and IPS officers personally extended their greetings.

Transition from the Previous DMK Government

The new appointments are being viewed as part of the broader administrative changeover from the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government led by M.K. Stalin. During Stalin's tenure, senior IAS officers Udayachandran, Shanmugam, and Anu George had served as Special Secretaries in the CMO. Later changes included the appointment of Umanath after Udayachandran's transfer to the Finance Department in 2024.

What Comes Next

Celebrations continued across Tamil Nadu as Vijay officially began his tenure. The appointment of a third Special Secretary and the broader staffing of the CMO are expected to be completed in the days ahead, setting the administrative tone for the new TVK-led government.