Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay officially took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, marking one of the most dramatic political shifts the state has witnessed in decades. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, formally established the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader at the helm of the state after a high-voltage election season that disrupted the long-standing dominance of the DMK-AIADMK political structure.

The oath-taking ceremony quickly became a nationwide talking point after Vijay briefly deviated from the official oath script and turned the moment into an emotional political message before Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar intervened and instructed him to continue with the prescribed constitutional format.

Vijay’s Off-Script Oath Moment Sparks Buzz

As Vijay stepped forward to take the oath of office, he initially moved beyond the standard wording and attempted to expand the oath into a broader speech reflecting his political ideology and governance vision. The Governor reportedly interrupted and asked him to read directly from the official text prepared for the ceremony. Vijay briefly sought clarification before continuing with the formal oath.

The moment instantly went viral on social media, with supporters applauding Vijay’s passionate and unconventional style, while critics debated whether constitutional ceremonies should strictly remain procedural.

Despite the interruption, the atmosphere inside the packed stadium remained celebratory as thousands of supporters erupted in cheers once Vijay officially completed the oath and assumed office as Tamil Nadu’s new chief minister.

“I Am Not an Angel”: Vijay’s First Speech as Chief Minister

Soon after taking oath, Vijay delivered his first address as chief minister and laid out the broad vision for his government. He declared that Tamil Nadu was entering “a new era of real, secular and social justice.”

In one of the most widely discussed lines from his speech, Vijay said, “I am not an angel,” acknowledging the immense responsibility of the office while promising to govern honestly and transparently. The statement was interpreted as an attempt to project humility while assuring people that his administration would focus on practical governance rather than grand promises.

The newly sworn-in chief minister emphasized inclusive growth, secular governance, youth empowerment, women’s safety, social welfare, and accountability as the core priorities of his administration. He also assured citizens that his government would remain accessible to ordinary people.

Shortly after assuming office, Vijay announced three immediate governance priorities linked to electricity support, anti-drug measures, and women’s safety initiatives.

End of the DMK-AIADMK Era?

Vijay’s rise to the top post is being seen as a historic turning point in Tamil Nadu politics. TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, effectively breaking a political pattern dominated for nearly six decades by the DMK and AIADMK.

The election witnessed one of the highest voter turnouts in Tamil Nadu’s history at 85.1%, underlining the intensity of public participation and political interest surrounding the contest.

TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling short of the majority mark of 118 and triggering days of intense negotiations and uncertainty over government formation after the results were announced.

The post-election period saw significant political drama, with Governor Arlekar reportedly asking Vijay to furnish letters of support from enough MLAs before being invited to form the government. Reports also suggested that the CM-designate’s convoy and security arrangements were temporarily withdrawn amid uncertainty over majority numbers.

Eventually, Vijay secured support from allies and independent legislators, allowing TVK to cross the majority mark. Backing from parties such as VCK and IUML reportedly helped the alliance reach 120 supporting MLAs — just above the required threshold to form the government.

PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Vijay

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay after he took oath as chief minister. Vijay later publicly acknowledged the message and thanked the Prime Minister while expressing hope for cooperation between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre.

In a statement shared after the ceremony, Vijay said the “sole objective” of his administration would be the welfare and development of Tamil Nadu’s people and added that he looked forward to receiving support from the Union government for the state’s growth and progress.

The congratulatory message from the Prime Minister was also officially published through the Prime Minister’s Office communication channels.

Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of people.@TVKVijayHQ— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2026

Cabinet Formation Reflects TVK’s New Political Identity

Alongside Vijay, several senior leaders and close political associates were inducted into the new cabinet during the swearing-in ceremony. The cabinet formation was viewed as an attempt to strike a balance between experienced political figures and newer faces aligned with TVK’s campaign promise of political transformation.

The swearing-in ceremony itself reportedly underwent a timing revision before the event, with Raj Bhavan later confirming the updated schedule.

Soon after assuming office, Vijay chaired his first official review meeting at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, where he discussed law and order issues with senior bureaucrats and top officials.

Vijay Retains Perambur Seat

Following his elevation as chief minister, Vijay resigned from the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency and chose to retain the Perambur seat.

During the Assembly elections, Vijay had contested from two constituencies and secured strong victories, further strengthening comparisons with former Tamil Nadu actor-politicians such as M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, both of whom successfully transitioned from cinema into powerful political leadership.

Political observers have attributed TVK’s rapid rise to multiple factors, including anti-incumbency sentiment, Vijay’s strong appeal among younger voters, aggressive digital campaigning, and the perception of TVK as a fresh alternative to the traditional Dravidian political establishment.

Opposition Leaders and Allies Respond

Several political leaders extended congratulations to Vijay after the swearing-in ceremony. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi publicly wished success to Vijay and his newly appointed ministers as they took charge of the state administration.

Meanwhile, CPM general secretary M. A. Baby defended support extended to TVK and argued that the people of Tamil Nadu had voted decisively for political change. He stated that democratic principles required the single largest party to be given the opportunity to form the government.

The CPM leader also criticized alleged attempts to facilitate an alternate government formation despite the election verdict.

Tamil Nadu Enters a New Political Phase

With Vijay now officially serving as chief minister, Tamil Nadu has entered a new political chapter shaped by a combination of cinema charisma, anti-establishment politics, and promises of governance reform.

From the viral off-script oath-taking moment to a speech centered around “real, secular and social justice,” Vijay’s first day in office blended symbolism with strong political messaging. The focus will now shift to whether TVK can successfully convert its electoral momentum into stable governance and deliver on the expectations that powered its historic rise to power.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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