Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM, says new era of secular, social justice starts now

The Thalapathy era began in Tamil Nadu on Sunday as C Joseph Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, took oath as the Chief Minister of the state at a grand ceremony held at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt, a blazer and black trousers, the actor-turned-politician took the oath of office and secrecy amid thunderous applause from supporters gathered inside the stadium.

“C Joseph Vijay yennum naan (I, C Joseph Vijay)” had an electrifying effect on his supporters — one that perhaps even his most iconic punch dialogues would not be able to match.

As thousands of supporters waved TVK flags outside the venue and party workers burst crackers across Tamil Nadu, Vijay, once known for his punch dialogues on screen, became Tamil Nadu’s first non-Dravidian Chief Minister in nearly six decades.

SPECTACLE & SYMBOLISM

Vijay’s rise to the top post is far more than a film star’s political success in a cinema-driven state. It marks one of the most dramatic political ascents Tamil Nadu has seen in decades, firmly silencing critics who once dismissed him as just another film industry phenomenon destined to fade away the moment he stepped into the unpredictable world of politics.

Following Vijay’s swearing-in – a moment that mirrored the grand spectacle often seen in his films – nine members of his Cabinet also took oath. Apart from K. A. Sengottaiyan, a familiar face in Tamil Nadu Cabinets since the era of MG Ramachandran, all the others will be serving as ministers for the first time.

"A new era of real secular, social justice starts now," he said in his first speech after taking over as the CM.

The swearing-in ceremony was a heady mix of emotions and political theatre.

As Vijay took oath, his visibly emotional parents watched from the audience as their son scripted political history. Adding star power to the moment, Trisha Krishnan, who arrived in a striking blue silk saree, drew loud cheers from fans as she watched her longtime co-star become the CM.

And in a moment loaded with political symbolism, Rahul Gandhi rushed to the venue to witness his party become part of a ruling dispensation in Tamil Nadu for the first time since 1967.

SPECTACLE AFTER 4-DAY STRUGGLE

But Sunday’s spectacle was the culmination of four days of intense political negotiations to stitch together a government. While the debutant TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, it remained 10 short of a majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

While the Congress was quick to extend support, other parties took time to come on board. It was only after the Left parties, VCK, and the Indian Union Muslim League extended unconditional support that Vijay was able to stake claim to form the government and secure an invitation from Governor Rajendra Arlekar to take over as Chief Minister.

Notably, Vijay warmly welcomed Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the venue just before taking oath as Chief Minister, a gesture that did not go unnoticed in a state where the Governor’s role has often been at the centre of political friction.

With the swearing-in ceremony now complete, attention shifts to the floor test, the crucial constitutional requirement Vijay must fulfil before fully settling into office as Tamil Nadu’s new “Thalapathy”.