Thalapathy Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ending Six Decades of Dravidian Duopoly

The historic ceremony, held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, marked the end of over sixty years of political dominance by the DMK and AIADMK. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the 51-year-old leader in a festive atmosphere attended by thousands of supporters and national political figures. In the recently concluded Assembly elections, Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 out of 234 seats. To secure the required majority of 118, Vijay successfully formed a coalition of 120 members with the support of 5 representatives from the Congress, 4 from Leftist parties, and several other smaller factions, bringing a week of intense political speculation to a definitive close.

The swearing-in ceremony gained significant national prominence with the attendance of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other influential figures from across the Indian political spectrum, signaling a potential shift in regional and national alliances. In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Vijay emphasized that his administration would prioritize transparency, good governance, and the dismantling of the long-standing two-party tradition that has defined the state's politics since the late 1960s. He pledged to bridge the gap between the government and the common citizen, focusing on social justice and modern infrastructure. Analysts suggest that this transition represents a profound desire for a new political alternative among the people of Tamil Nadu and is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the broader landscape of South Indian politics as the new government begins its mandate.