Vijay announces 200 free electricity units as Tamil Nadu CM in historic oath
Synopsis
Film superstar-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has been sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, ending decades of Dravidian party dominance. His first moves — 200 units of free electricity and a new special task force — signal a welfare-first agenda from a coalition government that holds a razor-thin majority of 120 in a 234-seat House.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 10 May at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai .
His government announced 200 units of free electricity and the "SingaPen" Special Task Force as its first major decisions.
TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member House and formed a coalition with Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML , totalling 120 MLAs .
10 ministers were sworn in alongside Vijay, including N.
Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, and Dr K.G.
The swearing-in marks the end of decades of dominance by Tamil Nadu's traditional Dravidian parties.
C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday, 10 May, and within hours announced 200 units of free electricity for households and the formation of the "SingaPen" Special Task Force — marking the first major policy decisions of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
The Swearing-In Ceremony
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, before thousands of party workers, supporters, and film fans. Vijay took his oaths in the name of C. Joseph Vijay. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place, with only around 6,000 invitees admitted through special passes. Chennai Police deployed a large force under the supervision of the Police Commissioner, with five Additional Commissioners and 12 Joint Commissioners overseeing the event.
First Decisions of the TVK Government
Shortly after the swearing-in, Vijay signed key official files in the presence of senior officials and ministers, signalling the start of his administration's welfare and governance agenda. The 200 units of free electricity announcement is among the most immediate relief measures rolled out. The formation of the "SingaPen" Special Task Force was also announced, though specific details of its mandate were not immediately disclosed.
The Coalition That Brought TVK to Power
The TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. Falling short of the majority mark of 118, the party secured support from the Indian National Congress (Congress), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), taking the coalition's combined strength to 120 MLAs.
The New Cabinet
Along with Vijay, 10 ministers were sworn into the new cabinet: N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Dr K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, Dr T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthan. Several prominent political figures attended the ceremony, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, alliance leaders, and notable personalities from the Tamil film industry.
A Historic Shift in Tamil Nadu Politics
The ceremony marks a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu's political history, ending decades of dominance by the state's established Dravidian parties — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Vijay, widely known as a superstar of Tamil cinema, has transitioned from the screen to the state's highest executive office, a trajectory that drew massive public attention throughout the election campaign. How the TVK government translates its welfare promises into durable governance will be closely watched in the months ahead.
Point of View
But governing with a coalition of five partners, including ideologically distinct formations like the CPI(M) and the IUML, will test the TVK's political management skills early. The 200-unit free electricity announcement is a familiar welfare signal in Tamil Nadu politics, but the real measure of this government will be whether it can deliver structural change beyond headline giveaways. The 'SingaPen' task force, whose mandate remains undefined, could be a genuine law-enforcement tool or a political symbol — that distinction will matter.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is C. Joseph Vijay and why is his swearing-in historic?
C. Joseph Vijay is a prominent Tamil film actor who founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and led it to victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. His swearing-in as Chief Minister on 10 May is historic because it ends decades of dominance by the state's traditional Dravidian parties, the DMK and AIADMK.
What was Vijay's first announcement as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister?
Vijay announced 200 units of free electricity for households and the formation of the 'SingaPen' Special Task Force as the first major decisions of his government, shortly after the swearing-in ceremony.
How did TVK form a majority government despite winning only 108 seats?
TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the majority mark of 118. It secured support from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML, taking the coalition's combined strength to 120 MLAs.
Who attended the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister swearing-in ceremony?
The ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium was attended by around 6,000 invitees, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alliance leaders, Vijay's family, and prominent Tamil film industry personalities.
Who are the ministers sworn in with Vijay in the new Tamil Nadu cabinet?
Ten ministers were sworn in alongside Vijay: N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Dr K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, Dr T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthan.
