TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay invited to form Tamil Nadu government after securing majority support from alliance partners. Swearing-in ceremony to take place in Chennai as Vijay prepares to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu finally came to an end on Saturday after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay was officially invited to form the next government in the state. The invitation was extended by Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar after Vijay demonstrated majority support in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
The major political development followed days of intense discussions and alliance-building after the Assembly elections produced a fractured mandate. Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai and submitted a formal letter informing him of his election as the leader of the TVK Legislature Party.
During the meeting, Vijay also presented letters of support from several political allies, including the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League.
Soon after the meeting, Raj Bhavan issued an official statement confirming that Governor Arlekar had appointed Vijay as the Chief Minister-designate of Tamil Nadu and invited him to form the Ministry. The Governor also instructed the TVK chief to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly on or before May 13.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Preparations for the high-profile event were underway late into the evening, with supporters and party workers gathering in large numbers across the city.
The TVK-led alliance managed to secure the backing of 120 MLAs, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118 required to form the government in the 234-member Assembly. According to the final numbers, the alliance includes support from 107 TVK legislators, five Congress MLAs, and two legislators each from the CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML.
Tamil Nadu Assembly elections were conducted in a single phase on April 23, witnessing one of the most closely watched political battles in recent years. The contest involved the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance, Naam Tamilar Katchi, and the newly launched TVK headed by actor-turned-politician Vijay.
The election results, announced on May 4, marked a dramatic rise for TVK as the party emerged as the single-largest formation with 108 seats. However, Vijay later chose to retain only one of the two Assembly constituencies he had won, reducing the party’s effective strength in the Assembly to 107 members.
Following the declaration of results, political negotiations intensified in Chennai as TVK leaders reached out to opposition and regional parties to gather the required support for government formation. The CPI and CPI(M) were among the first parties to extend support, followed later by Congress, VCK, and IUML.
Celebrations erupted across Tamil Nadu soon after the Governor’s announcement. Hundreds of TVK supporters assembled outside the party headquarters in Chennai, waving party flags, bursting crackers, and distributing sweets to celebrate Vijay’s elevation to the state’s top political office.
| Also Read: Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In As First BJP Bengal Chief Minister |
Vijay’s transition from cinema superstar to Chief Minister marks one of the most remarkable political transformations in Tamil Nadu’s recent history. His rise has reshaped the state’s political landscape and introduced a new chapter in Dravidian politics, with expectations now mounting over the formation of his cabinet and the policy direction of the incoming government.
