09 May,2026 09:22 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar hands over the letter of appointment to TVK chief C Joseph Vijay as the new CM, at the Lok Bhavan, in Chennai, on Saturday. PIC/PTI
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday appointed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The swearing-in ceremony of the Vijay-led ministry will be held on Sunday at 10 am at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, news agency PTI reported.
The actor-turned-politician was appointed after he called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan and submitted letters of unconditional support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), who have two Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) each. With their support, TVK's strength has now reached 120-121 in the 234-member assembly, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118.
The Governor held discussions with Vijay for about an hour. According to a Lok Bhavan press release, the appointment was made as per the provisions of the Constitution. Governor Arlekar had invited Vijay to form the government and asked him to seek a vote of confidence on or before May 13.
Vijay met the Governor along with Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K Selvaperunthagai, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary P Shanmugam, and other leaders of supporting parties.
TVK had emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, winning 108 seats in its debut. The party later secured the backing of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML.
Earlier on Saturday, VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan handed over an official letter of support to TVK General Secretary (Election Campaign Management) Aadhav Arjuna. In a separate letter to the Governor, Thirumavalavan stated: "This support is extended pursuant to the results of the General Assembly Elections held for the State of Tamil Nadu on 23rd April 2026, and is being conveyed in the interest of stable and democratic governance for the people of Tamil Nadu. I request Your Excellency to take on record my unconditional support."
Leaders of IUML - SSB Syed Farooq Basha and AM Shahjahan - also wrote to the Governor conveying their party's "unconditional support" to the TVK-led government.
This marks a historic moment as Vijay is set to become the first leader outside the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) fronts to head the Tamil Nadu government since 1967.
(With PTI inputs)
