11 May,2026 10:36 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/PTI
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday took oath as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) during the first session of the newly constituted Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai following the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) landmark electoral victory.
The oath was administered by Pro-Tem Speaker M V Karuppaiah at the Assembly session held at the Secretariat.
Assembly proceedings for the oath-taking ceremony began at 9.30 am with a formal introduction by the Pro-Tem Speaker. Vijay was the first legislator to take oath, followed by members of his cabinet and newly elected MLAs from various political parties.
Among the ministers who took oath were N Anand and Aadhav Arjuna.
Several senior political leaders and former chief ministers also participated in the Assembly proceedings.
DMK legislature party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin took oath as an MLA during the session.
Former Chief Ministers including AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami and former AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam were also sworn in as members of the Assembly.
Other senior AIADMK leaders, including Agri Krishnamurthy and K P Anbalagan, also took oath as legislators.
The Assembly session marked the formal beginning of the new legislative term following the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In his first public address after assuming office as Chief Minister, Vijay said his government would function with transparency and accountability.
The TVK chief stated that all major decisions and actions taken by his administration would be carried out openly and not behind closed doors.
"I want my government to be a transparent government," Vijay said while addressing the public after taking charge as Chief Minister.
He also said his administration would gradually implement all promises made during the election campaign and requested people to give the new government sufficient time to fulfil its commitments.
Vijay further assured that women's safety would remain a key priority for his government.
During his remarks, Vijay accused the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government of leaving behind severe financial challenges for the state.
He alleged that Tamil Nadu had been burdened with debt exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore and claimed that the state treasury had been "emptied" before the change in government.
According to Vijay, the financial condition of the state became fully clear only after his government reviewed official records following the transition of power.
Despite the fiscal challenges, Vijay said his administration would focus on strengthening education, improving road infrastructure, ensuring drinking water supply and expanding essential public services.
He also reiterated that public money would be utilised responsibly and transparently.
After formally taking charge as Chief Minister, Vijay signed the first set of official documents related to welfare and law enforcement initiatives.
The approvals included providing 200 units of free electricity to eligible consumers and establishing Special Task Forces aimed at tackling drug-related crimes and enhancing women's safety across the state.
The measures were among the key promises highlighted during the TVK's election campaign.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam secured a historic victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats.
Although the party fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats, it received support from several parties, including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), enabling Vijay to form the government.
The election outcome marked one of the most significant political shifts in Tamil Nadu in recent years and established Vijay as a major new force in the state's political landscape.
(With inputs from Agencies)
