Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM, ending decades of Dravidian rule
Synopsis
For the first time in Tamil Nadu's post-Independence history, neither the DMK nor the AIADMK will lead the state government. Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay takes oath as Chief Minister on 10 May, backed by 120 MLAs, closing the curtain on decades of Dravidian duopoly and opening an entirely new chapter in one of India's most politically consequential states.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay of TVK is sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 10 May 2025 at 10 am IST .
TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly , falling short of the 118-seat majority mark on its own.
Alliance support from Congress , CPI , CPI-M , VCK , and IUML gave Vijay a total of 120 MLAs .
Vijay must prove his majority on the Assembly floor before 13 May , as directed by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar .
TVK becomes only the third political force to form a Tamil Nadu government, after the DMK and AIADMK eras.
Senior ministers taking oath include K.A.
Sengottaiyan , Aadhav Arjuna , N.
Anand , Arun Raj , Nirmal Kumar , Raj Mohan , and Venkataramanan .
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at 10 am IST on Sunday, 10 May at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, ending an unbroken era of Dravidian dominance that has defined the state's politics for decades. The ceremony marks the first time a party other than the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will form the government in Tamil Nadu.
Historic Political Shift
Political observers are calling Vijay's elevation a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu's modern political history. TVK becomes only the third major political force to form a government in the state, breaking a two-party stranglehold that had persisted across multiple generations of voters. The actor-turned-politician's swift rise — from launching TVK to winning a state election — is without precedent in the state's post-Independence political arc.
How TVK Secured the Majority
TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. Though short of the majority mark of 118 on its own, Vijay secured alliance support to comfortably cross the threshold.
The Indian National Congress (Congress), which won five seats, extended unconditional support to TVK. The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) together contributed four MLAs, while the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) added two members each. With this backing, Vijay commands the support of 120 MLAs — two seats above the majority mark.
Governor's Invitation and Floor Test Deadline
Following the submission of letters of support from alliance partners, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar formally invited Vijay to form the government, directing him to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly before 13 May. The constitutional process proceeded without controversy after the numbers were presented.
Who Takes Oath Today
Alongside Vijay, several senior TVK leaders are expected to be sworn in as ministers. They include K.A. Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna, N. Anand, Arun Raj, Nirmal Kumar, Raj Mohan, and Venkataramanan. More than 5,000 guests are expected to attend the ceremony, with Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi among the prominent national figures invited.
Security and Arrangements
Heavy police deployment, traffic diversions, and multi-layered security arrangements have been enforced in and around the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium and across Chennai ahead of the high-profile event. The scale of the security operation reflects both the political significance of the occasion and the size of the expected gathering.
With the swearing-in complete, Vijay's government will face an immediate constitutional test — proving its majority on the floor of the Assembly before 13 May — before turning to the longer challenge of governing a state accustomed to entrenched Dravidian political machinery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is C. Joseph Vijay and how did he enter politics?
C. Joseph Vijay is a prominent Tamil film actor who founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) political party and contested the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats. His transition from cinema to chief ministership is widely regarded as unprecedented in Tamil Nadu's political history.
How did TVK secure a majority to form the government?
TVK won 108 seats but needed 118 for a majority in the 234-member Assembly. It secured support from Congress (5 seats), CPI and CPI-M (4 seats combined), VCK and IUML (2 seats each), giving Vijay a total of 120 MLAs — two above the majority threshold.
When must Vijay prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly?
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed Vijay to prove his majority on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly before 13 May 2025.
Why is Vijay's swearing-in considered historic for Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu has been governed exclusively by either the DMK or the AIADMK since the decline of the Congress in the state. TVK's formation of government makes it only the third political force to hold power, ending decades of uninterrupted Dravidian duopoly.
Who are the senior ministers being sworn in alongside Vijay?
Senior TVK leaders expected to take oath as ministers on 10 May include K.A. Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna, N. Anand, Arun Raj, Nirmal Kumar, Raj Mohan, and Venkataramanan.
