Former film actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president Chandrasekar Joseph Vijay took the oath as chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday [1].
The appointment marks a significant transition in regional power, as a cinematic figure moves from the screen to the state's highest executive office.
The swearing-in ceremony took place Sunday morning, May 10, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai [1]. Following the ceremony, Vijay signed his first official government orders to begin his administration.
The path to the premiership involved intense political maneuvering. Vijay secured the "magic majority" of 118 seats needed to form a government [2]. This milestone followed five days of negotiations and four meetings with the governor [2].
Alongside the new chief minister, Aadhav Arjuna and eight other TVK leaders were sworn in as part of the Tamil Nadu cabinet [3]. The new administration now faces an immediate legislative hurdle to solidify its position.
Vijay must prove his majority in the assembly through a vote of confidence [3]. This vote must occur on or before May 13, 2026 [3].
“Vijay secured the "magic majority" of 118 seats needed to form a government”
The ascent of a former film star to the chief ministership reflects the long-standing intersection of cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu. By securing the 118-seat threshold after days of negotiation, Vijay's TVK has transitioned from a political challenger to the governing body, though the upcoming vote of confidence will be the final test of his coalition's stability.
