Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, begins tenure at state Secretariat

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Tamil Nadu’s outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin congratulated new Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and welcomed his early announcements after taking office.

While extending his wishes, Stalin also responded to Vijay’s remarks on the state’s finances, asserting that Tamil Nadu’s debt remains within permissible limits and cautioning against claims of empty treasury. He highlighted his government’s welfare record despite challenges like Covid-19 and floods, and urged Vijay to focus on governance while learning to fulfil electoral promises responsibly.

Supporters of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) celebrated by bursting firecrackers outside the residence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and party leader C. Joseph Vijay’s parents in Chennai, marking a moment of public excitement and festivity among his supporters.

Shoba Chandrasekhar is a well-known Indian playback singer, director, and producer who has been the emotional and spiritual anchor of Vijay’s life.

Here is a closer look at her life and influence:

A prolific artist in her own right

While often introduced as the wife of director SA Chandrasekhar, Shoba has an impressive career of her own:

She is a trained classical singer and has performed thousands of devotional songs and film tracks. She famously sang the hit song “Muthu Muthu” in Vijay’s film Deva.

She has ventured into screenwriting and film production, often collaborating with her husband to launch and sustain Vijay’s early career in the 90s.

The emotional architect

Shoba is credited with shaping Vijay’s calm and stoic personality. Following the tragic death of Vijay’s younger sister, Vidya, when Vijay was just a child, it was Shoba who helped him navigate the trauma.

In recent years, when public disagreements arose between Vijay and his father regarding political ambitions, Shoba famously acted as the “bridge,” maintaining family unity and ensuring the transition to the TVK era was a cohesive family effort.

Spiritual influence

A devout believer, Shoba’s spiritual leanings have deeply influenced Vijay. To honor her faith and her love for him, Vijay even constructed a Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Chennai specifically for her, which she visits and maintains regularly.

Her role in TVK’s rise

During the 2026 campaign, Shoba was often seen at key religious sites and community gatherings, offering a “motherly” face to the party. Her appeal to women voters in rural Tamil Nadu was a quiet but effective strategy, reinforcing the image of Vijay as a disciplined, family-oriented leader.

The Tamil Nadu government has issued administrative reshuffles appointing senior IAS officers P Senthilkumar and G Laxmi Priya as Additional Chief Secretary/Secretaries to the Chief Minister’s office. The government has also clarified that these newly created posts will carry responsibilities equivalent to top cadre positions, on par with the Chief Secretary level under the IAS Pay Rules, 2016.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy congratulated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on his swearing-in, expressing confidence that he will focus on welfare for the poor.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on taking oath, wishing him a successful tenure.

Vijay has confirmed that Jananayagan is officially his swansong. He has no plans to return to the sets, stating that his full-time commitment is now to the 7.5 crore people of Tamil Nadu. He has essentially “retired” from cinema. 

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on his swearing-in, praising his journey from cinema to public service. He highlighted the strong cultural and historical ties between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and expressed hope for closer cooperation between the two states. Siddaramaiah also said he looks forward to working with Vijay on shared goals of social justice, inclusive development, and protecting constitutional and secular values.

C Joseph Vijay’s rise to the Chief Minister’s chair isn’t just about his film stardom. It’s really about how deeply he connects with young voters. In Tamil Nadu, where nearly 20 per cent of the electorate is Gen Z and millennials, Vijay managed to do something rare in politics. He turned fans into voters, and social media engagement into real political momentum.

So how did he pull it off? A big part of it starts with what he already had — a massive, loyal fan base.

From fan clubs to ‘virtual warriors’

Instead of building a party structure from scratch, he tapped into more than 85,000 fan clubs and quietly transformed them into a digital campaign force. These weren’t just supporters anymore, they became “virtual warriors,” sharing reels, creating local WhatsApp networks, and pushing out content that felt natural rather than top-down.

On top of that, his campaign leaned heavily into tech, from hologram-style appearances to AI-driven messaging and virtual town halls, all designed to speak directly to a digitally native generation.

The ‘rightful heir’ narrative

Then there’s the way he positioned himself politically. Unlike other actor-turned-politicians who tried to build entirely new ideologies, Vijay leaned into something familiar. He projected himself as a modern continuation of Dravidian values, drawing from icons like Periyar, Ambedkar, and Kamaraj.

The message was simple. The roots remain the same, but the system needs an upgrade, more transparency, more technology, and less of the old-style dynastic control.

The ‘Anna’ (big brother) persona

He also reshaped his public image. Moving away from the typical “romantic hero” roles of his film career, he increasingly came across as a protective, elder-brother figure — the “Anna” persona. That emotional connect really clicked with first-time voters. His call for a “Youth Tsunami” became more than a slogan; it turned into a viral movement, with young people actively convincing even their families to back him.

His campaign promises were also sharply targeted at young concerns — unemployment support, student loan guarantees up to Rs 20 lakh, and a promise that government recruitment would be completed within 365 days. It felt direct, specific, and aimed at their reality.

Representative leadership

And finally, he backed all of this up with representation. Bringing in 30-year-old S Keerthana into a key cabinet role sent a clear signal that youth wouldn’t just be a talking point in his government — they would actually have a seat at the table.

At his oath-taking ceremony, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reached out to young voters, especially Gen Z, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their support. Thanking children who affectionately call him “Vijay Mama,” he said their encouragement played a key role in his rise. He added that he would repay their trust by dedicating himself to their future and assured them, “this Vijay Mama will always stand by you.”

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has officially assumed office at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat in Chennai.

Rahul Gandhi congratulated Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Minister Vijay, saying the state has chosen a “new generation, a new voice and a new imagination.” Extending his wishes, he expressed hope that Vijay would live up to the expectations and aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Actor-politician Kamal Hassan on Sunday congratulated Joseph Vijay after he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. In a post in Tamil on X, Kamal Haasan extended his congratulations to “his brother” Vijay and expressed hope that the state would progress under his government and reach new heights.

Interestingly, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder had earlier criticised the delay in inviting Vijay to form the government, saying democratic values and the verdict of the people must be respected.

Apart from Haasan, several actors, directors and members of the film industry also congratulated Vijay on social media, describing his ascent from cinema superstar to Chief Minister as unprecedented in recent Tamil Nadu politics.

While laying out his plans after the oath-taking ceremony, the newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister pledged to bring drug abuse under control. “From today onward, I will begin taking strong measures to control drug abuse. It is our duty to save our youngsters from it. Likewise, I will ensure law and order and guarantee safety for everyone,” he said to a massive gathering.

“Even if some people humiliate me, whether they are friends or enemies, all 8 crore people are still my people. My heart tells me that I must give complete attention to education, roads, drinking water facilities, and other essential services. As I said before, I will not touch even a single paisa of the people’s money,” he said.

PM Modi congratulates Vijay on becoming Tamil Nadu CM, wishes him success and assures Centre’s cooperation with the state government.

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rose to power on the back of a meticulously crafted 40-point manifesto that blended “mass” populist welfare with data-driven governance. His campaign focused heavily on women, youth, and farmers, positioning himself as a “family member” to every Tamil household.

Here are the key promises that defined the TVK victory:

C Joseph Vijay’s relationship with the Congress is a unique blend of recent political necessity and long-standing mutual respect, which has now culminated in a historic alliance that ended the DMK-AIADMK duopoly.

While the current partnership is built on the 2026 election math, their history stretches back decades:

The 2026 kingmakers

The Congress (with 5 MLAs) was the first major party to desert the DMK-led alliance to support Vijay.

The “Rahul-Stalin bonhomie” reportedly collapsed over the last few months as the Congress felt marginalised within the DMK alliance.

Without the Congress—and the allies they helped bring over (VCK, Left, IUML)—Vijay’s TVK would have fallen short of the 118-seat majority.

Rahul Gandhi’s presence at today’s oath ceremony cements this “ideological brotherhood,” positioning Vijay as a national-level ally against the BJP.

The early seed: Rahul Gandhi & Vijay (2008–2009)

Long before he entered active politics, Vijay had a famous interaction with the Congress leadership.

In 2009, Vijay met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. At the time, speculation was rife that Vijay would join the Congress or lead its youth wing in Tamil Nadu.

While he didn’t join then, his father SA Chandrasekhar (SAC) was a vocal supporter of the Congress. SAC even met with Sonia Gandhi during that era, attempting to position Vijay as a “youth icon” for the party.

Throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, Vijay’s films (like Mersal and Sarkar) often took jabs at central government policies like GST and Digital India. This won him significant “silent support” from the Congress, which frequently defended him against BJP criticism.

Vijay began his first address as Chief Minister at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium shortly after taking oath, speaking to a large gathering of supporters in Chennai.

Calling it a moment of transition, Vijay said, “This is new beginning, new era,” as he set the tone for his tenure.

He struck a personal note with the crowd, saying, “I am not an angel but a common man,” drawing strong reactions from supporters.

He further connected emotionally with the audience, telling them, “I’m like your son, your brother,” and assuring them, “We will take care of you,” which was met with loud cheers from the packed stadium.

Vijay addressed the crowd as Tamil Nadu’s newest Chief Minister, stressing a focus on “fundamental issues” and “transparency,” drawing an enthusiastic response from supporters.

As Trisha Krishnan sat in the VVIP gallery today to witness C Joseph Vijay’s swearing-in, it served as a powerful reminder of a partnership that has spanned over two decades.

Trisha and Vijay are arguably the most iconic on-screen pair in modern Tamil cinema. Their collaboration began in 2004 with the blockbuster Ghilli, followed by hits like Thirupaachi, Aathi, and Kuruvi. After a 15-year hiatus, their reunion in 2023’s Leo reignited a massive fan frenzy, cementing their status as a “sentimental favorite” for the audience.

Among Vijay’s fan base, Trisha is often hailed as his “Lucky Charm.” This superstition gained massive traction during the 2026 election cycle:

The TVK’s landslide victory was announced on May 4, which also happens to be Trisha’s birthday.

Trisha was spotted at Vijay’s residence on the day of the results, giving a “thumbs-up” to the media, which many supporters interpreted as a victory sign for the “Thalapathy-Trisha” era.

Support amidst speculation

Their association has not been without controversy. For years, the two have faced persistent (and unconfirmed) rumours regarding their personal relationship. However, they have maintained a dignified professional front. Trisha’s attendance at the ceremony—sitting alongside Vijay’s family and national leaders like Rahul Gandhi—signals her status as a trusted confidante and a “first-tier” supporter of the TVK.

A political role in the future?

Following the TVK’s success, speculation has been rife that Trisha might officially join the party. While she currently remains an “industry well-wisher,” political analysts suggest her “clean” image and massive popularity among women and youth could make her a potent campaigner for Vijay’s government in the future.

In a historic ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, C Joseph Vijay was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu today. 

In Chennai, TVK chief Vijay introduced the ministers-designate to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Vijay and Rahul Gandhi could be seen on stage greeting the crowd gathered for the former’s swearing-in ceremony.

While Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) officially champions an ideology of secularism, social justice, and rationalism (inspired by Periyar and Ambedkar), the intersection of astrology and his political journey has been a subject of intense public and media fascination.

Here is how astrology played a role, both officially and through popular belief:

The ‘auspicious’ launch timing

Though the party emphasises a scientific and rational outlook, the timing of key events often aligned with what observers called “astrologically significant” windows:

The party was officially launched on February 2, 2024. Proponents of numerology pointed out the significance of the date’s alignment, while others noted the specific time of the press release coincided with a “favorable” afternoon window.

Even today’s swearing-in at 10:00 am is viewed by many as a carefully chosen “muhurtham” (auspicious time) to ensure the longevity and success of the new government.

Symbolic colours: Maroon and yellow

The TVK flag features a distinctive combination of Dark Maroon and Yellow, flanking a central emblem of two elephants and a Vaagai flower.

While the party defines maroon as representing courage and revolution and yellow as prosperity, astrological analysts frequently link these colors to the planets Mars (power/warrior) and Jupiter (wisdom/success), suggesting a subconscious appeal to traditional leadership symbols.

The ‘two elephants’ symbol

The inclusion of two elephants on the party flag drew immediate comparisons to ancient Tamil iconography, but also to Vedic astrology, where the elephant is a symbol of Gajakesari Yoga—an astrological combination denoting immense fame, wealth, and victory over enemies.

Leading up to the 2026 elections, several high-profile astrologers (such as Venu Swamy) went viral with “political horoscopes” for Vijay. These predictions often claimed that his “stars were aligned” for a monumental shift in power, which fuelled the narrative among his massive fan base that his victory was “destined.”

The convoy of Tamil Nadu Governor, along with his family, has arrived at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Vijay.

Vijay arrived at the venue wearing a black coat and trousers, opting for formal Western attire instead of the traditional veshti (a white, crisp loincloth).