Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM today; Rahul Gandhi to attend
Synopsis
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is set to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister on 10 May, backed by a 120-MLA coalition that comfortably crosses the majority mark. Rahul Gandhi's presence at the ceremony signals the national opposition's stake in this politically pivotal southern state.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 10 May at 10 a.m. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium , Chennai.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office.
The TVK-led bloc has secured the support of 120 MLAs , crossing the 118-member majority mark in the 234-member Assembly .
Alliance partners include the Indian National Congress , Communist parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi , and the Indian Union Muslim League .
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will attend the swearing-in ceremony in Chennai.
The full Cabinet is expected to be expanded after the initial swearing-in.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay is set to take the oath of office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, 10 May at 10 a.m. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The swearing-in marks the culmination of a remarkable political journey for the actor-turned-politician, who led his party to power in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The Swearing-In Ceremony
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office to Vijay at the event. Several senior national and regional political leaders, film personalities, and party workers are expected to be present. Notably, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will travel to Chennai to attend the ceremony, underlining the national significance of the occasion.
Vijay is expected to take the oath alongside a few members of his Cabinet, with the full ministry likely to be expanded at a later date.
How TVK Secured the Majority
The 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, and the Indian Union Muslim League, all of whom announced unconditional backing for the Vijay-led formation.
With support from alliance partners, the TVK-led bloc has secured the backing of 120 Members of the Legislative Assembly, comfortably crossing the 118-member majority mark 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 former actor founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and built a grassroots movement before contesting his first major electoral battle. This is his first term as Chief Minister, and he enters office amid heightened public and political interest across the state.
This comes amid a broader trend of film personalities transitioning into mainstream politics in Tamil Nadu, a state with a long history of cinema-to-politics crossovers. Vijay's win, however, is notable for the speed with which his relatively young party secured a governing majority.
What Comes Next
Following Sunday's swearing-in, attention will turn to the composition of the full Cabinet, which is expected to reflect the coalition's diverse alliance partners. Policy priorities and the distribution of key portfolios will be closely watched by both political analysts and the public in the days ahead.
Point of View
Coalition-dependent state. TVK's dependence on Congress, the Communist parties, and the Indian Union Muslim League for its majority means Vijay will enter office with obligations that could constrain his policy agenda from day one. Tamil Nadu has a rich tradition of strong, single-party governments; managing a coalition of ideologically diverse partners will be his first and arguably hardest challenge. The national opposition's enthusiasm — signalled by Rahul Gandhi's personal attendance — also reflects how crucial Tamil Nadu's political alignment is to the broader anti-BJP calculus heading into the next general election cycle.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is C. Joseph Vijay taking oath as Tamil Nadu CM?
C. Joseph Vijay is taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday, 10 May, at 10 a.m. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath.
How did TVK secure the majority to form the government?
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections but fell short of a majority on its own. The Indian National Congress, Communist parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League extended unconditional support, giving the TVK-led bloc 120 seats in the 234-member Assembly, well above the 118-member majority mark.
Why is Rahul Gandhi attending the Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremony?
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is attending the ceremony in Chennai as a show of solidarity, given that the Indian National Congress is a key alliance partner that extended support to Vijay after the election results. His presence underscores the national opposition's stake in Tamil Nadu's political outcome.
Will Vijay's full Cabinet be sworn in on 10 May?
Vijay is expected to take the oath along with only a few Cabinet members on 10 May. The full ministry is likely to be expanded at a later date, reflecting the coalition's need to accommodate multiple alliance partners.
Who is C. Joseph Vijay and what is his political background?
C. Joseph Vijay is a prominent Tamil film actor who founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and entered electoral politics ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. His swearing-in as Chief Minister marks his first term in elected office and is considered one of the most significant political developments in Tamil Nadu in recent years.
