Rahul Gandhi By Side, PM Modi’s Wishes: All On Vijay’s Big Day As He Takes Oath As Tamil Nadu CM

Last Updated:May 10, 2026, 11:43 IST

Amid continuous "whistling" by TVK cadres and in the presence of top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister in the name of God

C. Joseph Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath administered the oath of office and secrecy.

Amid continuous “whistling" by TVK cadres and in the presence of top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister in the name of God and the ministers too took the oath in the name of God unlike most in the outgoing DMK regime.

TVK leaders Aadhav Arjuna, N Anand and KA Sengottaiyan, among others took oath as ministers in Vijay-led cabinet.

Rahul Gandhi by his side

The Congress was among the first to ally with the TVK by ditching the DMK. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition and Congress, travelled to Chennai to attend the ceremony. He was seen on stage with Vijay, a gesture viewed as a significant endorsement of the “rising voice of youth" in Indian politics.

After Vijay’s spectacular win, Gandhi, in a post on X, had said, “I spoke to Thiru Vijay and congratulated him on TVK’s spectacular result. My heartfelt thanks to the Congress workers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for their hard work and support. I reiterate that the Congress party will continue to protect and serve the people of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry."

PM Modi congratulates Vijay

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes, congratulating Vijay on his “impressive" electoral debut. Vijay thanked the PM on X, stating he looks forward to the Union Government’s support for the state’s progress.

PM Modi said in a post on X: “Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay upon assuming the office of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Best wishes for his tenure to be an outstanding one. The Central Government will continue to work in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of the people."

Outgoing CM M.K. Stalin also extended his best wishes, urging the new government to continue existing welfare schemes for the people.

The road to the CM chair

Vijay’s party, TVK, emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections, breaking the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK. The TVK won 108 seats.

To cross the majority mark of 118, Vijay secured support from parties like the Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), and IUML, bringing his total tally to 120 MLAs.

Nine ministers were sworn in alongside Vijay today, including ‘Bussy’ N. Anand and Aadhav Arjuna.

The swearing-in

The ceremony was as much a cultural event as a political one. Actor Trisha Krishnan was a prominent attendee, sharing a warm moment with Vijay’s mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar. Vijay’s father, S.A. Chandrasekhar, called the victory a “historic moment" for the family.

Massive crowds gathered at the stadium and outside Vijay’s residence, with supporters describing the day as a “new dawn" for the state.

Vijay is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13.

With agency inputs

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