Chandrasekar Joseph Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, took the oath of office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday [1].
The appointment marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape as a new party disrupts the long-standing dominance of established political forces. Vijay's ascent to power follows a period of intense negotiation to secure a working majority in the assembly.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on May 10, 2026 [2]. This event followed the TVK's performance in the elections for the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly, where the party won 108 seats [3]. While the TVK emerged as the single-largest party, it fell short of the 118-seat threshold required for a majority [4].
To form the government, Vijay secured additional support from other legislators. Reports on the exact number of supporting members varied, with some tallies placing the support at 117 MLAs [5] and others stating that Vijay secured the support of 120 MLAs [6]. This support allowed him to cross the necessary threshold to be sworn in.
The path to the chief minister's office was not without tension. Earlier reports indicated that the DMK and AIADMK might have considered an unlikely alliance to keep the TVK out of power [7]. However, the successful oath ceremony confirms that Vijay's bid for leadership prevailed over those coalition efforts.
Vijay is now tasked with proving his majority by May 13 [2]. The transition comes as the state watches whether the TVK's platform can translate into a stable governing administration after the party's rapid rise from the cinema industry to the legislative halls of Chennai [1].
“Chandrasekar Joseph Vijay took the oath of office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu”
The rise of the TVK represents a disruption of the traditional bipolar political structure in Tamil Nadu. By leveraging a strong personal brand to secure 108 seats, Vijay has forced established parties into a position where they must either negotiate with a newcomer or risk political irrelevance. His ability to secure a majority—ranging between 117 and 120 MLAs—demonstrates a successful transition from celebrity to political powerbroker, though the requirement to prove this majority by May 13 suggests the stability of his coalition remains a critical near-term hurdle.
