Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay resigned from the Tiruchirappalli East assembly seat on May 10, 2026, to comply with state legislative laws [4].

The move is a necessary legal step for the new leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to assume office. Under Tamil Nadu law, a chief minister is permitted to hold only one legislative seat [5].

Vijay had won two assembly seats during the election cycle, securing victories in both Trichy East and Perambur [1]. To resolve the conflict, he chose to retain the Perambur seat and vacate the Trichy East constituency [5].

The resignation occurred on the same day Vijay was sworn in as chief minister [4]. Following the vacancy, the actor-turned politician is expected to address voters in the Trichy East area.

His party, the TVK, won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly [2]. Despite the significant gain, the party fell short of a clear majority by 10 seats [3]. This electoral outcome forced a shift in the state's political landscape, leading to the resignation of former chief minister M.K. Stalin after conceding defeat to Vijay [2].

The transition marks the first time a former cinema star has successfully transitioned to the state's highest executive office under the TVK banner. The vacancy in Trichy East will now require a resolution to ensure representation for those voters.

“Tamil Nadu law requires a chief minister to hold only one legislative seat”

Vijay's decision to retain Perambur while vacating Trichy East is a procedural requirement, but it highlights the precarious nature of his mandate. With the TVK holding 108 seats—just 10 short of a majority—the administration's stability depends on its ability to maintain a coalition or attract further support in a fragmented Assembly.