TVK founder C. Joseph Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), C. Joseph Vijay, was sworn in as the Chief Minister this morning.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Nehru Indoor Stadium at 10 AM. State Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Mr Vijay. Along with him, nine Ministers were also sworn in.
Among those who took oath as Cabinet Ministers were KG Arunraj, Aadhav Arjuna, N Anand, Selvi S Keerthana and Dr TK Prabhu.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Rahul Gandhi and several personalities from the Tamil film industry were present.
Vijay, with the backing of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, secured the support of 120 MLAs-elect in the 234-member House. He made history as the first Chief Minister of the state since 1967 who does not come from either the DMK or the AIADMK.
The event marks the first non-Dravidian party to form the government in the state, breaking the traditional domination of AIADMK and the DMK.
The TVK, which created a record by winning 108 seats in its debut assembly polls, now has the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member assembly. The majority mark in the assembly is 118.
Along with Vijay, nine other ministers took oath, including ministers ‘Bussy’ N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K A Sengottaiyan, besides K G Arunraaj, P Venkataramanan, C T R Nirmal Kumar, A Rajmohan, Keerthana and K T Prabhu. The new Cabinet comprises a woman minister S Keerthana.
According to a Lok Bhavan press release, the Governor has directed Mr Vijay to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before Wednesday (May 13).