Tamil actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, popularly known as “Thalapathy” Vijay, officially took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in a historic political development that has reshaped the state’s political landscape. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marked the beginning of a new administration led by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a party that achieved a remarkable electoral breakthrough within a short span of its formation.

The oath-taking ceremony witnessed massive public enthusiasm, with thousands of supporters gathering across Chennai and other districts to celebrate Vijay’s rise from cinema icon to the state’s highest political office. Large LED screens were installed at several locations in Chennai to allow the public to witness the ceremony live, while party workers distributed sweets and burst crackers in celebration.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay, who was accompanied by several senior leaders of his party and coalition partners. Prominent national and regional political leaders attended the ceremony, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who shared the stage with the newly sworn-in chief minister. Leaders from multiple political parties extended congratulatory messages following the event.

Vijay’s ascent to power is being viewed as one of the most dramatic political transformations in Tamil Nadu’s recent history. His party, TVK, emerged as a major force in the Assembly elections, securing enough support from alliance partners including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML to form the government. Political observers described the development as a major shift in Tamil Nadu politics, ending decades of dominance by traditional Dravidian parties.

In his first address after assuming office, Vijay declared that Tamil Nadu was entering “a new beginning” and promised a governance model centered on transparency, social justice, welfare, and accountability. He assured citizens that his government would function without “parallel power centres” and emphasized that the administration would remain people-focused.   

The new chief minister also addressed the financial condition of the state, stating that his government inherited a heavy debt burden exceeding ₹10 lakh crore. He announced plans to release a white paper detailing the state’s finances in the interest of transparency and public awareness. The statement was interpreted as an early indication of his administration’s focus on fiscal accountability and governance reforms.

Soon after taking charge at the Secretariat in Fort St. George, Vijay signed his first set of official files. Among the first major decisions announced by the new administration was the approval of 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, a key promise highlighted during the election campaign. The announcement drew strong reactions across the political spectrum and was welcomed by several alliance leaders.

The ceremony also carried symbolic political significance. Analysts noted that every aspect of the event — from Vijay’s speech to the participation of coalition leaders — reflected the arrival of a new political narrative in Tamil Nadu. Supporters compared the atmosphere surrounding Vijay’s rise to the political journeys of legendary actor-politicians who previously transformed the state’s politics through cinema-driven mass appeal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal leader Mamata Banerjee, and several other national leaders extended their congratulations to Vijay after the ceremony. Reports also indicated that Modi personally spoke to Vijay over the phone to wish him success as Tamil Nadu’s new chief minister.

Meanwhile, outgoing political rivals also reacted to the transition of power. Former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin congratulated Vijay while cautioning the new administration against shifting blame for governance challenges. The opposition also urged the new government to fulfill its election promises and maintain transparency in administration.

Vijay’s supporters across Tamil Nadu celebrated the swearing-in ceremony as a defining moment in the state’s political history. Emotional scenes were witnessed among fans and party workers who viewed the actor’s transition from cinema superstar to chief minister as the fulfillment of a long-standing public movement.

With expectations running high, Vijay now faces the challenge of translating his mass popularity into effective governance. His first few decisions and public statements indicate an administration focused on welfare measures, administrative transparency, and political restructuring. The coming months are expected to determine how successfully the new government can navigate economic pressures, coalition politics, and the aspirations of millions who backed the TVK in its historic electoral debut.