TVK chief Vijay appointed Tamil Nadu CM, swearing-in set for Sunday at Nehru Stadium
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay is officially set to become the state’s next Chief Minister. The appointment was formalized Saturday evening after Vijay met with Governor RV Arlekar at Raj Bhavan to stake his claim.
The Governor, who reportedly canceled a scheduled trip to Kerala to facilitate the transition, issued an official invitation for Vijay to form the Ministry.
The Road to the Majority
While TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, it fell short of the 118-seat majority mark on its own. However, a series of swift post-poll maneuvers solidified Vijay’s position:
VCK Support: Senior TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna presented a formal letter of support from the VCK.
IUML Shift: The IUML, previously a DMK ally, pivoted to support TVK.
Final Count: These alliances pushed Vijay’s coalition strength to 120, safely crossing the halfway mark.
Key Cabinet Assignments
Sources indicate that the Chief Minister-designate will retain the heavy-hitting portfolios, including Home, Police, and General Administration. Other notable ministerial allocations include: Sengottaiyan – Public Works (PWD) & Municipal Administration, Bussy Anand -Municipal Administration, CTR Nirmal Kumar – Electricity Ministry, Aadhav Arjuna – Sports & Prohibition, Venkatraman – School Education, Musthafa -Minority Welfare.
The Governor has directed the new government to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly by May 13, 2026.
The shift marks a seismic change in the Dravidian political landscape, as the actor-turned-politician prepares to lead the state into a new era.