Actor-politician Vijay is set to be sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 9, 2026 [1].
The transition marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape as a cinematic figure moves into the highest executive office. This appointment follows a period of coalition building to secure a stable majority in the legislative assembly.
Vijay, the leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will take the oath of office at 10 a.m. [1] at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai [2]. The 51-year-old leader is ascending to power after his party secured the necessary support to govern [1].
To form a government, a party or coalition must reach a majority threshold of 118 members of the legislative assembly [3]. The total number of seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is 234 [3].
TVK secured this majority after receiving support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and other allied parties [3]. Reports on the final tally vary among sources. The Hindustan Times said the TVK tally was 117 MLAs [3], while Republic World said the party crossed the 118-mark [5]. TimesNowNews said the tally reached 120 MLAs with the inclusion of VCK and IUML support [6].
The rise of TVK as a political force was solidified when the party was recognized as an official entity after crossing a threshold of five million votes [8]. The swearing-in ceremony will be overseen by Governor Rajendra Arlekar [1].
“Actor-politician Vijay is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu”
The appointment of Vijay as Chief Minister represents the continued influence of cinema on Tamil Nadu's political culture. By leveraging a massive popular vote and forming a strategic alliance with the VCK, TVK has successfully transitioned from a celebrity-led movement to a governing power, challenging the traditional dominance of established political dynasties in the region.
