Actor-turned-politician Vijay officially took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in a dramatic and emotionally charged ceremony at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Backed by roaring supporters and with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seated beside him, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief used his first speech as Chief Minister to strike a humble yet assertive tone, declaring, “I am not a messenger of God. I am an ordinary man.”
The swearing-in ceremony marked a historic political moment in Tamil Nadu, with Vijay formally stepping into power after TVK’s stunning electoral rise. Dressed in a black blazer over a white shirt and black trousers, Vijay greeted Governor R.N. Ravi before taking oath in Tamil as “Sri Joseph Vijay,” drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium. Rahul Gandhi’s presence at the event underlined the Congress party’s support for the new government.
Soon after taking oath, Vijay delivered his first address as Chief Minister and announced a series of major welfare and governance measures. Among the biggest promises was free electricity up to 200 units for households across Tamil Nadu. He also pledged strict action against the drug menace and promised stronger measures to improve women’s safety in the state.
In a speech filled with political messaging, Vijay said a “new chapter of secularism and social justice” had begun in Tamil Nadu. At the same time, he made it clear that his government would function under a single power centre.
“There will be no other axis of power apart from me,” Vijay said, in remarks widely interpreted as a signal to allies and coalition partners that the TVK government would not operate under external pressure.
The ceremony also saw several prominent TVK leaders and first-time ministers taking oath alongside Vijay. Among them were strategist Aadhav Arjuna, senior leader Sengottaiyan, TVK general secretary Anand, former BJP leader Nirmal Kumar and young MLA Keerthana, who at 28 became one of the youngest ministers in the cabinet.
Actor Trisha was among the celebrities present at the event, while thousands of party workers and Vijay fans gathered inside and outside the stadium to witness the moment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi later congratulated Vijay on becoming Chief Minister, adding another layer of political significance to the high-profile transition in Tamil Nadu politics.
After the ceremony ended, Vijay posed for photographs with ministers, the Governor and Rahul Gandhi before dramatically raising Rahul’s hand in front of cheering supporters — a visual that quickly became one of the defining images of the day
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