Actor-turned-politician Vijay created history on Sunday after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a major political shift in the state’s decades-old Dravidian landscape.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai under heavy security arrangements. Along with Vijay, nine senior leaders from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam also took oath as ministers in the new cabinet. Vijay left his Neelankarai residence around 9 am before arriving at the venue for the ceremony scheduled at 10 am.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Crosses Majority Mark With Alliance Support

Although TVK won 108 seats on its own in the 234-member Assembly, the party later secured outside support from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League. The combined support pushed the coalition tally to 120 seats and cleared the path for Vijay to form the government. Interestingly, despite supporting the government, Congress leaders did not find a place in the new cabinet.

Senior Leader KA Sengottaiyan Joins Vijay Cabinet

Veteran politician KA Sengottaiyan emerged as one of the biggest names in Vijay’s cabinet. The former AIADMK leader won from Gobichettipalayam under the TVK banner after switching parties in late 2025. He defeated DMK candidate N Nallasivam by more than 16,000 votes. Sengottaiyan, who has represented the constituency nine times, also serves as Chief Coordinator of the TVK Executive Committee.

Aadhav Arjun Becomes Key Face in New Tamil Nadu Government

Political strategist and sports administrator Aadhav Arjun also joined the cabinet after winning from Villivakkam in Chennai. He currently serves as General Secretary for Election Campaign Management in TVK and played a key role in shaping the party’s election strategy during the 2026 Assembly polls. Apart from politics, Aadhav Arjun is also the President of the Basketball Federation of India.

N Anand Continues as Powerful TVK Organiser

N Anand, popularly known as Bussy Anand, took oath as minister after winning the Thiyagarayanagar constituency. He became TVK’s first General Secretary when Vijay launched the party in 2024 and has remained one of the closest leaders to the new chief minister. Before joining TVK, Anand had served as a legislator in Puducherry.

Former IRS Officer KG Arunraj Enters Cabinet

Former Indian Revenue Service officer and physician KG Arunraj also secured a cabinet berth after winning from Tiruchengode. Before entering electoral politics, Arunraj worked as Joint Commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax. He also served as TVK’s general secretary for policy and propaganda.

Raj Mohan Wins Egmore Seat

TVK leader Raj Mohan entered the ministry after winning the Egmore constituency. He defeated DMK candidate Tamilan Prasanna by more than 10,000 votes in a closely watched contest.

P Venkataramanan Makes Political Debut

P Venkataramanan, who has long served as Vijay’s manager, also became a first-time MLA after winning the Mylapore seat. The TVK treasurer defeated DMK candidate Dha Velu by nearly 29,000 votes. Apart from politics, Venkataramanan is a practising advocate associated with the Saidapet Law Association.

Dentist-Turned-Politician TK Prabhu Joins Ministry

TK Prabhu, a dentist by profession, took oath after winning the Karaikudi constituency in Sivaganga district. His victory added another fresh face to Vijay’s first cabinet.

S Keerthana Becomes Youngest Minister

At just 28 years old, S Keerthana became the youngest member of the Vijay-led cabinet. She won the Sivakasi constituency by defeating Congress candidate Ashokan G by more than 11,000 votes. Keerthana entered the Assembly for the first time in the 2026 elections.

CTR Nirmal Kumar Also Takes Oath

CTR Nirmal Kumar joined the new ministry after winning from Thirupparankundram in Madurai district. The 44-year-old leader is among the prominent faces in TVK’s emerging leadership structure.

Vijay Leads First Non-DMK, Non-AIADMK Government in Nearly 60 Years

Vijay’s rise marks the first time since 1967 that Tamil Nadu will have a government outside the control of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Political observers described the development as one of the biggest shifts in Tamil Nadu politics in recent decades. On Saturday, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar formally invited Vijay to form the government after he submitted letters of support from alliance parties. The governor also directed him to prove his majority in the Assembly before May 13.

Rahul Gandhi Attends Swearing-In Ceremony

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in ceremony in Chennai and congratulated Vijay after the election victory.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also welcomed the new government and said Tamil Nadu was expecting “change and new hope” under Vijay’s leadership. He added that people were hoping for “social justice, equality, development, and humane governance."

TVK’s Rapid Rise Changes Tamil Nadu Politics

TVK’s success in its very first Assembly election surprised many political observers. The party, launched by Vijay in 2024, quickly transformed into a major political force across Tamil Nadu.

Vijay himself won from both Perambur and Trichy East constituencies and is expected to vacate one seat later. Many analysts compared Vijay’s political rise and mass appeal to former chief minister M. G. Ramachandran, while others described it as the return of actor-driven politics after Vijayakanth.

Vijay Positions Himself as Alternative Political Force

Since entering politics, Vijay has projected himself as an alternative to Tamil Nadu’s traditional Dravidian parties while continuing to support social justice and secular politics.

In one of his earlier political speeches, he described Periyar E. V. Ramasamy as his ideological guide while clarifying that TVK would not promote atheism. He also cited C. N. Annadurai, K. Kamaraj and B. R. Ambedkar as inspirations behind TVK’s vision of social justice and inclusive governance.

Family and Supporters Celebrate Vijay’s Political Milestone

Ahead of the ceremony, Vijay’s father and filmmaker S. A. Chandrasekhar expressed happiness over his son’s achievement. “Finally, Tamil people have succeeded through Vijay,” he said while asking the new chief minister to “do everything for Tamilians."

Supporters and family friends also expressed confidence in Vijay’s leadership and hoped that his government would bring major political and administrative changes to Tamil Nadu.