C. Joseph Vijay, leader of the TVK party, took the oath of office as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026 [1].
The transition marks a historic shift in the state's political landscape, ending decades of dominance by the DMK and AIADMK parties [5].
The swearing-in ceremony took place at 10 a.m. [2] at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat and the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai [3]. Following the ceremony, TVK workers celebrated the victory by bursting crackers and distributing sweets [4].
To achieve a majority in the 234-member Assembly [5], Vijay secured coalition support. Reports on the exact number of supporting lawmakers vary; the FreePressJournal reported that Vijay secured the support of 120 MLAs [2], while MSN reported a tally of 117 MLAs [4].
The majority threshold for the assembly is 118 MLAs [4]. By crossing this mark, the TVK party has successfully formed a government, shifting the power dynamic of the region.
Supporters gathered in large numbers in Chennai to witness the event, which included the presence of notable figures such as Trisha Krishnan [3]. The atmosphere remained celebratory as the new administration took control of the state government.
“C. Joseph Vijay, leader of the TVK party, took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu”
The ascent of C. Joseph Vijay to the Chief Minister's office represents a significant disruption of the traditional two-party system in Tamil Nadu. By leveraging a coalition to surpass the 118-seat majority threshold, the TVK party has transitioned from a political newcomer to the governing power, signaling a potential long-term realignment of voter loyalty in the state.
