Historic Power Shift in Chennai: TVK Chief Joseph Vijay to Take Oath at 10 AM; Rahul Gandhi Among High-Profile Attendees
CHENNAI: In a watershed moment that redraws the political map of South India, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Joseph Vijay will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu this Sunday morning. The ceremony, scheduled for 10:00 AM at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, marks the end of a decades-long duopoly held by the DMK and AIADMK, ushering in the state’s first non-Dravidian party-led government.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the actor-turned-politician. The transition follows days of intense political deliberation, culminating in Vijay securing the crucial support of four MLAs from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
A Compact Cabinet and Historic Firsts
Following his final meeting with the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Saturday, Vijay received the formal invitation to form the government. The Governor has also approved a streamlined nine-member Cabinet. Notably, the team includes S. Keerthana, who will serve as the lone woman minister in the initial lineup.
The new Cabinet will feature a mix of seasoned hands and fresh faces, including:
- ‘Bussy’ N. Anand
- Aadhav Arjuna
- K.A. Sengottaiyan
- K.G. Arunraaj
- P. Venkataramanan
- C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar
- A. Rajmohan
- K.T. Prabhu
Vijay’s ascent is statistically significant: he becomes the first actor in Tamil Nadu’s storied history to secure a majority mandate and clinch the Chief Minister’s chair in his very first electoral outing.
National Spotlight on Chennai
The atmosphere in Chennai is electric. Thousands of TVK supporters have descended upon the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium since dawn, turning the surrounding streets into a sea of yellow and maroon. Security has been tightened across the city to manage the influx of fans and party workers.
The event has also drawn national political heavyweights. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is among the prominent leaders expected to attend, signaling the national importance of this shift in the southern stronghold.
The Road Ahead
While the celebrations are in full swing, the political work begins immediately. As per the official mandate, Chief Minister Vijay will be required to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly through a confidence motion on or before May 13.
For a state that has been defined by Dravidian ideology for over half a century, the swearing-in of Joseph Vijay represents more than just a change in leadership—it represents a profound shift in the political consciousness of Tamil Nadu.
