NEW DELHI: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay was sworn in on Sunday as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a major political turning point as the state gets its first non-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and non-All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in nearly six decades.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, with Vijay’s parents, actor Trisha, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi among those present.

Along with Vijay, nine TVK leaders also took oath as ministers, including senior politician KA Sengottaiyan, strategist Aadhav Arjuna, former BJP leader CTR Nirmal Kumar, TVK general secretary ‘Bussy’ Anand, RajMohan, KT Prabhu, former IRS officer Arunraaj, Chennai MLA P. Venkataramanan, and the youngest minister S. Keerthana.

TVK, formed just two years ago, emerged as a strong force in last month’s assembly elections, winning 108 of 234 seats but falling short of a majority.

In the days following the election, Vijay held several rounds of negotiations with political allies and repeatedly met the state governor to prove majority support.

Initial backing came from Congress and later from Left parties CPI and CPI(M). The final breakthrough came when DMK allies VCK and IUML extended support, taking the coalition past the majority mark.

After submitting letters of support from multiple parties, Vijay was invited to form the government. However, he is required to prove majority on the floor of the House by May 13.

A former leading film star known as “Thalapathy,” Vijay began his career as a child actor and went on to become one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars before launching TVK in 2024 and entering politics.