Rahul Gandhi in Chennai as Vijay set to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu is witnessing a once-in-six-decades political reset: actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is set to be sworn in as Chief Minister, ending the DMK-AIADMK duopoly that has defined the state since the 1960s. Rahul Gandhi's presence in Chennai signals Congress's strategic stake in this new coalition order.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on 10 May to attend the swearing-in of C.
Joseph Vijay as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister .
TVK won 107 seats in the Assembly elections and secured the backing of 120 MLAs with support from Congress, CPI, CPI-M, VCK, and IUML.
The swearing-in is scheduled at 10 am at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium , Chennai; nine ministers are also set to take oath.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed Vijay to prove majority on the Assembly floor before 13 May .
This is the first time in nearly six decades that a government not led by the DMK or AIADMK is assuming power in Tamil Nadu.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on Sunday, 10 May to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The ceremony marks a seismic shift in the state's political landscape — the first time in nearly six decades that a government not led by either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is assuming power.
Gandhi's Arrival and Reception
Gandhi landed in Chennai amid tight security arrangements and was received by senior Indian National Congress (Congress) leaders and TVK functionaries. His presence underscores the Congress's pivotal role in enabling Vijay to cross the majority threshold in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
How Vijay Secured the Majority
The TVK emerged as the single largest party with 107 seats in the recently concluded Assembly elections, which produced a fractured mandate. Vijay subsequently secured the backing of 120 MLAs after receiving support from the Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — all former constituents of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar subsequently invited Vijay to form the government and directed him to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly before 13 May.
Swearing-In Ceremony Details
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled at 10 am at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Along with Vijay, nine ministers are expected to be sworn in. Senior TVK leaders K.A. Sengottaiyan and Aadhav Arjuna, along with several alliance representatives, are likely to be part of the first cabinet. The event is expected to draw national and regional political leaders, film personalities, and thousands of Vijay supporters from across the state.
Family's Reaction
Noted Tamil filmmaker and Vijay's father, S.A. Chandrashekhar, described the occasion as an emotional and proud moment. "Today people will be very happy," he told reporters ahead of the ceremony. Vijay's mother, Shoba Chandrashekhar, also expressed joy, saying simply: "I am very happy."
A Historic Political Shift
This transition ends the decades-long duopoly of the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu politics. Vijay, who rose to prominence as one of Tamil cinema's biggest stars before entering politics, now leads a coalition government that will face close scrutiny over its governance priorities. How the TVK-led alliance manages its coalition partners — and delivers on its electoral promises — will define whether this political breakthrough endures beyond a single term.
Point of View
Making every cabinet decision a negotiation. The real test is whether Vijay can govern as a coalition manager while his supporters expect a transformative outsider. Congress and the Left will extract their price — and Tamil Nadu's famously demanding electorate will not wait long for results.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is C. Joseph Vijay and why is his swearing-in significant?
C. Joseph Vijay is the chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and one of Tamil cinema's most prominent stars. His swearing-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is historically significant because it ends nearly six decades of uninterrupted DMK-AIADMK rule in the state.
How did Vijay secure the majority to form the government?
TVK won 107 seats in the Assembly elections, falling short of the 118-seat majority in the 234-member House. Vijay crossed the majority mark of 120 MLAs after receiving support from Congress, CPI, CPI-M, VCK, and IUML — all former allies of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.
When and where is the swearing-in ceremony?
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 10 am on 10 May at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Along with Vijay, nine ministers are expected to take the oath of office.
Why did Rahul Gandhi travel to Chennai for the ceremony?
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, attended the ceremony as Congress is one of the key alliance partners that gave Vijay the numbers to form the government. His presence signals the national party's stake in the new Tamil Nadu coalition.
What deadline has the Governor set for Vijay to prove his majority?
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed Chief Minister-designate Vijay to prove his majority on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Assembly before 13 May.
