A new chapter in Tamil Nadu’s political history unfolded on Sunday (May 10, 2026) as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay, popularly known as ‘Thalapathy’ in the film industry, took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The grand ceremony was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office, marking Vijay’s formal entry into the state’s highest political post.
The event witnessed a massive turnout of supporters and party workers, with the venue echoing chants of “Thalapathy.” Vijay arrived in a simple white shirt and veshti, receiving a rousing welcome from fans and cadres. The ceremony marked a significant moment in Dravidian politics, with Vijay’s transition from cinema to the state’s top administrative position drawing widespread attention.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in ceremony and congratulated Vijay with a handshake. The presence of national political figures added further significance to the event, which was closely watched across the country as a landmark political development in Tamil Nadu.
Actress Trisha Krishnan also attended the ceremony and emerged as a notable presence at the event. Dressed in a traditional blue saree and accompanied by her mother, she drew considerable media attention. Her presence at the high-profile political event became a talking point amid ongoing public discourse surrounding her association with Vijay.
Before taking oath, Vijay finalized the allocation of key portfolios in his cabinet. He retained crucial departments including Home and Public Administration, signaling control over core governance functions. The move reflected an early administrative structure set by the new Chief Minister on assuming office.
A total of nine ministers were sworn in alongside Vijay, comprising seven TVK MLAs and two Congress representatives. While major portfolios have been allocated across departments such as education, electricity, and municipal administration, two ministers are yet to be assigned departments. Despite TVK securing 108 seats, the government was formed with support from Congress, VCK, Left parties, and IUML, collectively ensuring 120 MLAs and receiving gubernatorial approval for government formation.