'Thalapathy' Vijay
Takes Oath as Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister
C. Joseph Vijay, 51 — superstar actor turned politician — was sworn in at Chennai today, ushering in what he called "a new era of real, secular, and social justice" for the people of Tamil Nadu. The common man's leader has arrived at the Secretariat.
Chennai witnessed history on Sunday morning as C. Joseph Vijay — better known across India as 'Thalapathy', the beloved superstar of Tamil cinema — was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, alongside nine members of his new cabinet. The oath-taking ceremony, held in Chennai, saw Vijay formally enter the political arena at the highest level, transforming from a screen icon into the leader of one of India's most populous and economically significant states.
Vijay, who had maintained a carefully low-profile political image since founding the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, introduced himself to the people of Tamil Nadu not as a celebrity or a powerful figure, but as a "common man." In a first speech that was closely watched across the country, he emphasised that his roots — far removed from royal lineage or political dynasties — were precisely the reason voters had placed their trust in him.
"There will be no power centre other than me. I will be the only centre of power in this government."
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, in his first address after taking oath, May 10, 2026The "only one power centre" declaration was widely interpreted as a direct assurance to the people of Tamil Nadu: that the new TVK-led government would not bow to pressure from any alliance partner, and that all accountability rests squarely with the Chief Minister. It was a message of authority delivered with deliberate confidence.
The new Chief Minister also spoke warmly and personally, embracing the nicknames the public had affectionately given him. He accepted being called both "Mama" and "Thambi" — terms of endearment that signal familiarity and closeness — telling supporters, "I am like your son, your brother. I will not deceive you with false promises." He asked citizens to give his government a reasonable and fair period of time before evaluating its performance.
🖊️ First Orders — Promises Kept on Day One
In a remarkable display of intent, Vijay's first signatures on government files were not administrative formalities — they were the fulfilment of election promises made directly to the people. Two orders were signed immediately after taking oath.
200 units of free electricity guaranteed for all domestic consumers across Tamil Nadu. The order takes effect immediately, benefiting millions of households statewide.
A dedicated special force created exclusively to safeguard women's safety across the state — one of the flagship promises of the TVK election campaign.
Vijay announced plans to release a comprehensive white paper on the state's finances, signalling a commitment to open governance and public accountability.
🏛️ The New Cabinet — Fresh Faces, Experienced Hands
The nine-member cabinet sworn in alongside Vijay reflects a deliberate balance between youth and experience. At its core sits the TVK's most trusted team. Highly experienced legislator KA Sengottaiyan provides institutional knowledge, while young leaders such as Dr TK Prabhu and the remarkable S. Keerthana — the youngest MLA in the cabinet, who is fluent in five languages — signal the generational shift Vijay has promised.
Also taking oath were four TVK leaders: Aadhav Arjuna, N. Anand, R. Nirmal Kumar, and KG Arunraj — all closely identified with the party's grassroots movement. Notably, no leader from the Congress party — the first alliance partner to back TVK when it needed the numbers to cross the majority mark — was included in the cabinet at this stage.
"I will work for an era of real, secular, and social justice. I promise you I will not work for myself, but for every one of you."
— CM Vijay, addressing supporters after the oath ceremony📡 National Reaction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to extend congratulations, expressing that the Centre would continue to work closely with the new Tamil Nadu government in the interest of the people of the state. The oath-taking ceremony itself drew significant national attention, with actress Trisha Krishnan and other prominent figures from Tamil cinema in attendance — a reminder that Vijay's journey from film star to Chief Minister captures the imagination far beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu.
The moment was marked by a striking symbolic gesture: at the ceremony, Vande Mataram played in full, followed by Jana Gana Mana — an arrangement that drew considerable comment and signalled the new government's intent to blend patriotic pride with constitutional values.
With a declared net worth of ₹624 crore — including ₹213 crore in savings accounts and ₹100 crore in fixed deposits — Vijay has been transparent about his personal finances from the outset. His pledge to release a white paper on the state's wider finances within weeks suggests that transparency will be a defining feature of the new administration.
Tamil Nadu now watches with great curiosity — and considerable hope — to see whether 'Thalapathy' can deliver on the sweeping promises that carried him to the Secretariat. The curtain has risen on a new act. The real performance has begun.
🎤 Vijay's Most Memorable Words
"There will be no power centre other than me — I will be the only centre of power."
"I will work for an era of real, secular, and social justice for every citizen of Tamil Nadu."
"I am a common man — not from any royal lineage. That is why the people accepted me."
"I am like your son, your brother. I will not deceive you with false promises."
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