A new political era has begun in Tamil Nadu as actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, is set to assume office as Chief Minister, marking a major shift in the nearly six-decade dominance of Dravidian parties Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam; Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday night issued the official order inviting Vijay to form the government after a five-day political uncertainty period ended with last-minute alliance support.
In the 234-seat Assembly elections, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but fell short of the 118-seat majority mark, prompting intense negotiations in which the Indian National Congress (5 seats), Communist Party of India (2 seats), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (2 seats) extended initial support, taking the alliance tally to 116 MLAs.
The deadlock was resolved on Saturday evening after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League extended unconditional support with two MLAs each, raising the coalition strength to 120, following which Vijay met Governor Arlekar at Raj Bhavan and staked claim to form the government.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Sunday at 10 AM at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, after being rescheduled from the earlier proposed afternoon timing reportedly on astrological advice, and is expected to witness participation from national leaders including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with several regional political leaders and film personalities.
Along with Vijay, nine senior leaders of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, including Aadav Arjun, Bussy Anand, and K. A. Sengottaiyan, are expected to be sworn in as ministers, while Governor Arlekar has directed the new government to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly by May 13; meanwhile, outgoing Chief Minister M. K. Stalin stated that the DMK will function as a constructive opposition despite its alliance partners supporting the TVK-led government.
Meanwhile, large crowds of supporters have gathered outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium since morning, prompting heavy security deployment across Chennai, while demand for Vijay-related merchandise including photos, scarves, and badges has surged sharply, reflecting heightened public anticipation over the historic political transition.