Actor Vijay Set to Take Oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on May 7 as Congress Formally Backs TVK With Five Seats
In what is set to become one of the most remarkable political transitions in Indian history, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay — popularly known as ‘Thalapathy’ — will take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, May 7, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The swearing-in ceremony, expected to draw thousands of supporters, marks the culmination of a meteoric rise from cinema superstardom to the highest political office in one of India’s most politically vibrant states.
Congress Formally Extends Support to TVK
The path to Vijay’s swearing-in was paved on Tuesday evening when the Tamil Nadu unit of the Indian National Congress passed a formal resolution to extend support to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Congress, which won five seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, will bring TVK’s tally from 108 to 113 — comfortably crossing the halfway mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly.
Sources within the Congress told media outlets that the resolution was passed during a virtual meeting of the state unit’s core committee. The party is expected to release a formal letter of support on Wednesday morning, following which Congress MLAs will meet Vijay at his political operations centre in Panaiyur, Chennai, to finalise the contours of the alliance.
In exchange for their support, Congress is reportedly seeking two Cabinet berths and several chairmanships of government boards and commissions. While the specific portfolios are yet to be finalised, sources indicate that Congress may push for the education and rural development ministries — portfolios that align with its national platform.
The development comes after TVK’s stunning electoral debut in the 2026 Assembly elections, where the party won 108 of 234 seats, emerging as the single-largest party and reducing both the ruling DMK and the once-formidable AIADMK to distant second and third positions respectively.
A Star’s Journey to the Top Office
Vijay’s political journey has been nothing short of cinematic. Born in Chennai in 1974, he rose to become one of Tamil cinema’s biggest superstars, with a career spanning over three decades and more than 60 films. His fan base, numbering in the tens of millions across Tamil Nadu and the global Tamil diaspora, provided a ready-made political constituency when he launched TVK in February 2024.
Unlike many actor-politicians who have tried and failed in Tamil Nadu’s complex political landscape, Vijay took a methodical approach. He spent nearly two years building a grassroots organisation, appointing district-level office bearers, and articulating a policy platform centred on social justice, anti-corruption, education reform, and economic development. His campaign deliberately avoided the personality-cult approach, instead focusing on a team-based political structure — a move that earned comparisons to both Dravidian movement founders and modern democratic reformers.
The hints of Vijay’s political inclinations were visible even before TVK’s formal launch. Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja’s cryptic social media post ahead of the elections had sparked massive speculation about cultural endorsements of TVK’s movement, reflecting the deep intertwining of Tamil cinema and politics.
TVK’s Cabinet Formation Underway
Even as the swearing-in ceremony is being finalised, intense discussions are underway at Vijay’s Pattinampakkam residence regarding Cabinet formation. On Tuesday, Vijay met with his newly elected MLAs to discuss ministerial portfolios, legislative priorities, and the first 100-day agenda of the TVK government.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that the TVK Cabinet is likely to include a mix of experienced professionals and young leaders. Key portfolios such as finance, home affairs, and health are expected to be assigned to candidates with relevant domain expertise rather than purely on the basis of political seniority — a departure from traditional Tamil Nadu politics.
Among the names being discussed for key positions are senior TVK members who led the party’s organisational efforts in southern and western Tamil Nadu, where the party achieved its most decisive victories. The Cabinet is expected to include at least 30 per cent women, fulfilling a campaign promise made by Vijay during the election season.
Impact on INDIA Bloc and DMK Relations
The Congress decision to back TVK has significant implications for national opposition politics. Congress has been in a formal alliance with the DMK for over two decades at the national level through the INDIA bloc. By choosing to support TVK over the DMK in Tamil Nadu, Congress risks straining one of its most reliable electoral partnerships.
DMK president M.K. Stalin, who saw his party reduced to about 65 seats, has not publicly commented on the Congress-TVK alliance. However, DMK sources have privately expressed “deep disappointment” at what they see as a betrayal of a longstanding friendship. The impact of this realignment on the INDIA bloc’s coordination at the national level remains to be seen, particularly as the group prepares for a potential national election strategy.
Political analysts note that Congress’s decision may have been driven by pragmatism. “Congress won just five seats, and those five seats now have outsized leverage,” said political commentator Sumanth Raman. “By aligning with TVK, they get Cabinet berths and a seat at the table. Staying with DMK in opposition would have given them nothing.”
What to Expect on May 7
The oath-taking ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium is expected to be a grand affair. The stadium, which has a seating capacity of approximately 8,000, is being prepared with extensive security arrangements. Giant LED screens are being installed outside the venue to allow thousands of additional supporters to watch the ceremony live.
Governor RN Ravi is expected to administer the oath of office and secrecy. Vijay will first take oath as Chief Minister, followed by a select group of Cabinet ministers. The full Cabinet is expected to be sworn in over the next two days, with a formal expansion planned within a week.
Vijay’s team has confirmed that the new Chief Minister’s first official act will be to visit the Secretariat and conduct a review meeting with top bureaucrats. Priority areas for the first week include reviewing all pending government files, assessing the state’s fiscal position, and issuing directives on campaign promises including free laptops for college students and an increase in the old age pension.
As previously reported in our coverage of TVK’s coalition talks, the party had been in discussions with multiple smaller parties and independent MLAs. With Congress’s formal support, those discussions are now less urgent, though TVK is still expected to welcome support from friendly independents to build a more comfortable working majority in the Assembly.
Tamil Nadu’s Political Future Under TVK
Vijay’s assumption of office marks the end of the Dravidian duopoly that has defined Tamil Nadu politics for over six decades. Neither the DMK nor the AIADMK — the two parties that have alternated power since 1967 — is part of the incoming government. This represents a tectonic shift in the state’s political culture.
For the millions of TVK supporters who campaigned tirelessly across 234 constituencies, May 7 will be more than a swearing-in ceremony — it will be the moment their political movement becomes reality. For Tamil Nadu and Indian politics, it will be the beginning of an entirely new chapter.
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