Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, marking a dramatic political transition in the southern State and ending nearly six decades of alternating rule by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Vijay, founder-president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, took oath at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai at 10 a.m. before a packed gathering of political leaders, party workers, film personalities and alliance partners.
The swearing-in ceremony formally brought the TVK-led coalition to power after days of intense political uncertainty over government formation in the hung Assembly.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and other Ministers. The Governor also directed the new Chief Minister to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly on or before May 13.
The TVK crossed the majority mark late Saturday evening after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League extended support to the alliance, taking its strength to 120 seats.
Soon after securing the numbers, Vijay met Governor Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai and submitted letters of support from alliance partners including the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), VCK and IUML.
Joseph Vijay sworn in as Chief Minister
Apart from Vijay, senior TVK leaders including N. Anand, popularly known as “Bussy” Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and K.A. Sengottaiyan were among the MLAs-elect sworn in as Ministers.
The development represents one of the most significant shifts in Tamil Nadu politics since 1967, with the State witnessing the collapse of the long-standing bipolar dominance of the DMK and AIADMK.
Vijay’s rise from cinema to the State’s top political office has triggered comparisons with former actor-Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, though political observers view the current mandate as a broader expression of anti-incumbency and voter demand for an alternative political force.
Security was tightened across central Chennai, especially around the stadium and Raj Bhavan areas, as thousands of supporters gathered for the event.
The trust vote scheduled later this week is expected to formally consolidate the TVK-led coalition government’s position in the Assembly. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
