Vijay Assumes Office As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ending Decades Of DMK And AIADMK Rule

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 10 May 2026, leading a coalition government with the Congress. The new administration, backed by 120 MLAs-elect in the 234-member Assembly, ends nearly sixty years of alternating DMK–AIADMK rule. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar directed Vijay to prove his majority by 13 May.

The TVK emerged from the Assembly election with 108 seats, though its effective strength is 107, as Vijay contested and won from two constituencies and must vacate one. Support from five Congress MLAs-elect, and two each from the CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, all elected on the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance slate, enabled the coalition to cross the majority mark.

Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government and Assembly arithmetic

The Governor appointed Vijay as Chief Minister-designate on 9 May 2026 after receiving letters of support confirming the backing of 120 MLAs-elect. Vijay met Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday evening and submitted written assurances from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML legislative parties endorsing the proposed coalition arrangement.

The Governor’s communique made it clear that the coalition must secure a vote of confidence on or before 13 May in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. With the numbers currently in place, the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government holds a slim but clear majority. Political uncertainty that had dominated discussions in Chennai for several days eased once VCK and IUML formally announced their support.

Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government oath-taking ceremony details

The swearing-in ceremony for the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai at 10 a.m. on 10 May 2026. Vijay arrived in a convoy from his residence as invited dignitaries, party leaders and members of the public filled the venue, treating the event as a major political milestone for the State.

During the oath, Vijay briefly went off the prescribed text before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar asked Vijay to adhere to the official wording. The Chief Minister completed the oath of office and secrecy, cheered by a large crowd inside the stadium. Following Vijay’s oath, nine TVK MLAs-elect were scheduled to be sworn in as Ministers during the same ceremony.

Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government ministers and allies

Nine Ministers from the TVK are part of the first Council in the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government. The list submitted to the Governor includes 'Bussy’ N. Anand from T. Nagar, Aadhav Arjuna from Villivakkam, K.G. Arunraaj from Tiruchengodu, K.A. Sengottaiyan from Gobichettipalayam, P. Venkataramanan from Mylapore and C.T.R. Nirmalkumar from Thirupparankundram.

The remaining three Ministers sworn in with Vijay are A. Rajmohan from Egmore, T.K. Prabhu from Karaikudi and S. Keerthana from Sivakasi. Soon after Vijay, 'Bussy’ N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and K.A. Sengottaiyan took the oath as Ministers. All nine are drawn from the TVK, reflecting the party’s dominant role inside the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government.

The Congress, despite being a coalition partner and providing five MLAs-elect crucial to reaching 120, did not have any members sworn in as Ministers on 10 May. The Lok Bhavan communique specified that only Vijay and nine TVK MLAs would take oath that day. Discussions on ministerial berths for Congress and other allies in the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government are expected later.

Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government oath-taking ceremony atmosphere

Preparations at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai started early on 10 May for the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government event. Visuals showed authorities finalising seating, stage arrangements and security checks well before dawn. TVK leaders began taking their places on the stage from around 9 a.m. as the crowd grew steadily in the stands.

Traffic restrictions were imposed around the stadium area, with most approach roads closed to regular vehicles. Though these curbs were not widely announced in advance, access was largely restricted to authorised cars and official convoys. Earlier, TVK supporters had gathered at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, celebrating Vijay’s elevation and then moving towards the oath-taking venue.

Key guests at the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government swearing-in included Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who left Delhi in the early morning and later arrived at the Chennai stadium. Rahul Gandhi, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister-designate Vijay were seen together on stage before the formal proceedings began, signalling coordination between the coalition partners.

Film personalities and family members were also present at the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government ceremony. Actor Trisha was spotted entering the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium ahead of the event. Visuals showed Vijay’s parents at the venue, while separate footage captured Vijay departing from the residence earlier. Crowds greeted the Chief Minister-designate enthusiastically along parts of the route.

Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government political backdrop

Outgoing Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin, commenting on the transition to the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government, urged the new administration to continue existing welfare programmes. Stalin said that schemes implemented under the DMK government for women, youth, students, children, government employees and marginalised communities should be allowed to run so that people would keep benefiting.

The rise of Vijay and the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government follows a long tradition of film stars entering politics in the State. The TVK website features an AI-generated war scene, showing a general on horseback arriving on a shaking battlefield, styled as a heroic introduction for C. Joseph Vijay. The party has quickly become the largest group in the Assembly.

On the morning of the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government’s swearing-in, TVK MLA-elect K.A. Sengottaiyan was seen visiting Vijay’s residence in Chennai. Later, TVK MLAs-elect assembled at the stadium ahead of their oath. The event capped days of intense negotiations, which started after the election delivered a fractured verdict and ended with TVK assembling a viable majority.

Rahul Gandhi’s travel for the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government ceremony drew national attention. Video clips showed Rahul Gandhi leaving the Delhi residence and heading for Tamil Nadu before 10 May. Another clip later showed the Congress leader arriving in Chennai and proceeding to the indoor stadium to witness Vijay’s swearing-in as Chief Minister.

The Tamil Nadu TVK coalition government now begins work under close public and political scrutiny, with a confidence vote due by 13 May and portfolio allocation still to be finalised. The new administration inherits ongoing schemes from the DMK tenure and faces expectations from TVK supporters, alliance partners and voters who backed change in the recent Assembly election.

FAQs

Who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 10 May 2026, and what coalition supports him?

C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister, heading a TVK-led coalition government supported by the Congress and other allied parties.

How many MLAs-elect back the Tamil Nadu TVK coalition, and what is the significance for the majority in the 234-member Assembly?

The coalition has backing from 120 MLAs-elect, giving it a slim but clear majority in the 234-member Assembly.

What was the key requirement set by the Governor after Vijay's appointment, and by when must it be satisfied?

The Governor directed the coalition to prove its majority by holding a vote of confidence on or before 13 May.

How many TVK ministers were sworn in on the oath-taking day, and where do they come from?

Nine TVK ministers were sworn in, all drawn from the TVK party as part of the first Council.

What notable political figures attended the oath-taking ceremony, and what upcoming decision was anticipated for the coalition?

Attendees included Congress leader Rahul Gandhi; the coalition anticipated discussions on ministerial berths for Congress and other allies as portfolios are finalised.