India’s Tamil Nadu Set for Major Political Shift as Vijay Prepares for Swearing-In

Vijay is set to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured enough support to form the government following the 2026 Assembly elections in India.

The actor-turned-politician met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday to formally stake claim to form the government. According to reports, the Governor handed Vijay the appointment letter, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Sunday at 10am.

TVK, contesting its first Assembly election, emerged as the single largest party after winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. With post-poll support from alliance partners, the coalition’s strength has risen to 121 seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118.

Several parties have extended support to TVK, including the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League.

VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan submitted a letter of support to the Governor, stating that the backing was extended in the interest of stable and democratic governance in the state. Leaders from IUML also announced unconditional support for the TVK-led alliance.

The development marks a major political shift in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, as Vijay is poised to become the first leader outside the traditional Dravidian parties — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — to assume the Chief Minister’s office since 1967.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, with several national political leaders likely to attend, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.