Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, with the oath of office administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Several political leaders and celebrities attended the ceremony, while large crowds of supporters gathered in the city to witness the event.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his congratulations to Vijay in a post on X shortly after the swearing-in. The President noted the long-standing connections between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, describing the relationship as one rooted in history, culture, enterprise and enduring people-to-people ties across generations.
“The future holds immense economic promise and opportunity as Sri Lanka and India continue to deepen their partnership,” Dissanayake said, adding that he looks forward to working together within the strong India–Sri Lanka relationship to further strengthen prosperity and progress in the region. “The people of Sri Lanka join me in wishing you and the people of Tamil Nadu every success,” his message concluded.
The swearing-in followed Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar’s formal appointment of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief on Saturday, ending days of political uncertainty over government formation following the April 23 assembly elections in which TVK secured 108 seats. The Governor has directed Vijay to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13.
TVK had won 108 seats on its own in the polls — a record for a debut assembly contest — but fell short of the 118 mark required for a majority in the 234-member House. The backing of the Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) lifted the alliance’s tally to 120 MLAs.
Vijay becomes the first leader from outside the DMK and AIADMK formations to head the Tamil Nadu government since 1967. He had won from two constituencies in the polls and is expected to resign from one seat in line with Election Commission norms.
The Governor had earlier in the week declined to invite Vijay to form a government, citing the need for documented evidence of majority support — a standoff detailed in the earlier government-formation stalemate that prompted the TVK to seek written backing from coalition partners.
