C. Joseph Vijay, president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on the morning of May 10, 2026. The ceremony, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, saw Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administer the oath of office. The event drew a massive crowd, marking a historic moment as the actor-turned-politician formally assumed leadership of the state.

The mandate follows a decisive performance in the April 23 Assembly elections, where the TVK, contesting independently, secured 108 of the 234 seats. With the support of coalition partners-including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML-Vijay cleared the threshold required to form the government. The Governor has officially directed the new Chief Minister to demonstrate a vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly by May 13.

This transition signifies a major disruption in the state's political landscape, effectively ending a five-decade-long duopoly held by the DMK and AIADMK. The TVK, which evolved from Vijay’s long-standing fan network into a formal political party in early 2024, centered its campaign on themes of social justice and a strong stance against corruption. By securing approximately 1.7 crore votes, the party has established itself as a significant new force in regional governance.

While the party is still in its early stages of organizational development, this victory underscores a rapid shift in voter sentiment. Political analysts view the election results as a clear signal for change, with the new administration now tasked with implementing the economic and social reform agenda that defined Vijay’s campaign platform. The coming days are expected to focus on Cabinet appointments and the upcoming confidence vote.