Chennai, India — May 10, 2026
Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, marking a major political shift in the state. The oath ceremony was held at Chennai’s Nehru Indoor Stadium, where Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office. Nine newly elected legislators were also sworn in as cabinet ministers.
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), delivered a strong debut performance in the 2026 Assembly elections, winning 108 seats. With support from the Congress party and other allies, the coalition crossed the majority mark of 118 seats, enabling Vijay to form the government. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was among the prominent leaders present at the swearing-in ceremony.
First Major Announcements: Free Power, Women’s Safety Force
In his first official decisions as Chief Minister, Vijay signed key files aimed at delivering immediate relief and strengthening governance. He approved a scheme to provide free electricity up to 200 units for domestic consumers, a move expected to benefit millions of households across the state.
Additionally, he announced the formation of a dedicated women’s safety force, focusing on improving law enforcement response and ensuring better protection for women.
Transparency and Fiscal Accountability
Addressing the public after taking oath, Vijay emphasized transparency and accountability in governance. He announced plans to release a white paper on Tamil Nadu’s financial condition, stating that his government inherited a significant debt burden estimated at around ₹10 lakh crore.
He accused previous administrations of increasing the state’s financial liabilities but said his government would avoid making unrealistic promises. Vijay urged citizens to give his administration time to deliver measurable results.
“A New Era of Governance Begins”
In his first speech as Chief Minister, Vijay described his leadership as the beginning of a “new era” rooted in secularism and social justice. He reiterated that governance under his leadership would remain centralized and accountable, adding that there would be no parallel power structures.
Vijay also highlighted his non-political background, stating that despite not belonging to a traditional political family, he received strong public support—an endorsement he described as a mandate for change.
Political Reactions and Public Response
Celebrations broke out across Tamil Nadu, with TVK supporters distributing sweets and marking the occasion as a historic victory. Congratulatory messages poured in from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who extended his wishes and expressed hope for cooperative federal governance between the Centre and the state.
Cabinet Formation
Alongside Vijay, nine legislators were sworn in as ministers, including K.G. Arunraj, N. Anand, Aadhav Arjun, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmal Kumar, Rajmohan, T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthana.
