Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ends Decades-Long DMK-AIADMK Dominance

In a historic political development in Tamil Nadu, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) founder C. Joseph Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister on Sunday morning at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Vijay at 10 AM.

Along with Vijay, nine ministers were also inducted into the Cabinet. Among those sworn in were KG Arunraj, Aadhav Arjuna, N Anand, Selvi S Keerthana and Dr TK Prabhu.

The swearing-in ceremony witnessed the presence of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several prominent personalities from the Tamil film industry.

Backed by Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, Vijay secured the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. His appointment marks a major political shift, as he became the first Chief Minister since 1967 who does not belong to either the DMK or the AIADMK.

According to a Raj Bhavan release, Governor Arlekar directed the new Chief Minister to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly on or before May 13.

Soon after taking oath, Chief Minister Vijay visited Fort St George in Chennai and formally assumed office at the Secretariat. Addressing the public after the ceremony, Vijay assured people of transparent, efficient and people-centric governance.

During his first day in office, Vijay signed key files announcing 200 units of free electricity for every household, the creation of a special women’s safety unit and the establishment of a dedicated anti-drug smuggling wing.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly session will begin tomorrow for the swearing-in of newly elected MLAs. Karuppaiah, MLA from Sholavandan constituency, has been appointed Pro Tem Speaker and will administer oath to members before the election of the permanent Speaker. The new government is also required to prove its majority in the Assembly by Wednesday.