Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on May 10, 2026, for the swearing-in ceremony of C. Joseph Vijay [1].
The presence of the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition signals the Congress party's strategic support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alliance and the formation of a new government in Tamil Nadu [2].
Vijay, the chief of the TVK, was scheduled to take the oath of office as Chief Minister at 10 a.m. [3]. The event marks a significant transition in the state's leadership following the recent elections.
To secure the government, the TVK required a majority of 118 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly [4]. While the party won 108 seats in the election [5], it has secured the backing of 120 MLAs to ensure a stable administration [4].
Gandhi, a Member of Parliament for the Congress party, arrived at the venue ahead of the official start time to witness the transition of power. His attendance underscores the cooperation between the national party and the regional TVK leadership, a partnership central to the new government's viability.
Security was tightened around the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium as crowds gathered to see the former actor-turned-politician assume his new role. The ceremony serves as the formal commencement of Vijay's tenure as the state's top executive [1].
“Rahul Gandhi arrived at the venue to attend the swearing‑in ceremony of Vijay”
The alliance between the TVK and the Congress party, highlighted by Rahul Gandhi's attendance, suggests a coordinated effort to consolidate power in Tamil Nadu. By securing 120 MLAs, Vijay has surpassed the 118-seat majority threshold, ensuring the new government has the legislative strength to govern without immediate instability.
