Tamil film superstar Vijay was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Monday after his party secured a historic victory [1].
The transition marks a seismic shift in the state's political landscape. For decades, Tamil Nadu was dominated by the DMK and AIADMK parties, but the rise of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has dismantled that long-standing duopoly [1, 3].
The oath ceremony took place at 10 a.m. [4] in Chennai, with reports placing the event at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat or Nehru Stadium [2]. Vijay took the oath of office alongside nine ministers [2]. Rahul Gandhi was among the notable figures present at the venue [2].
TVK's ascent followed an election characterized by high civic engagement, with voter turnout exceeding 85 percent [3]. The party won 108 seats in the assembly [1], though other reports indicate the government now enjoys the backing of 120 MLAs [2]. This total exceeds the 118-seat threshold required for a majority in the house [2].
Vijay, widely known as Thalapathy Vijay, transitioned from a career in cinema to lead the TVK party [1]. His victory is being described as a blockbuster political debut that has revolutionized the region's governance structure [5]. The new administration enters office with a clear mandate to move past the traditional party alignments that defined the state for generations [3].
“Tamil film superstar Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu”
The victory of the TVK represents a successful transition of celebrity capital into institutional power. By breaking the decades-long hold of the DMK and AIADMK, Vijay has introduced a third-party alternative that could permanently alter the electoral mathematics of Tamil Nadu and potentially influence how other regional cinema figures approach Indian politics.
