Actor-turned-politician Vijay took the oath of office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, May 10, 2026 [1].
The swearing-in marks a significant political shift in the state, breaking the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK parties. By forming a government with Congress support, Vijay intends to implement a platform centered on social justice.
The ceremony took place around 10 a.m. [1] at Nehru Stadium in Chennai [2]. Vijay, the leader of the Tamil Vannila Kazhagam (TVK), addressed the crowd during the event. "Social justice starts now," Vijay said [1]. He further described the moment as the start of a "new era of real, secular, social justice" [3].
This political ascent follows a strong performance by the TVK in the state elections. The party won 108 seats [4] in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly [5]. While the majority threshold for the assembly is 118 seats [5], the TVK secured enough support from the Congress party to form the government.
To be recognized as a formal party, the TVK had previously secured 50 lakh votes [6]. The transition from cinema to the state's highest executive office follows a trajectory common in Tamil Nadu politics, though the scale of the TVK's initial success is historic.
Vijay's administration now faces the challenge of governing a complex coalition while delivering on the social justice promises made during the campaign. The event at Nehru Stadium was attended by various coalition leaders and supporters who witnessed the formal transfer of power.
“"Social justice starts now."”
The rise of the TVK represents a disruption of the traditional bipolar power structure in Tamil Nadu. By displacing the established DMK and AIADMK, Vijay has transitioned from a celebrity figure to a legitimate political force, signaling a voter appetite for third-party alternatives and a renewed focus on secular social justice.
