Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, marking a dramatic political shift in the state and bringing an end to decades of Dravidian dominance led by the DMK and AIADMK. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 10 am at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where Governor Rajendra Arlekar will administer the oath of office. Reports indicate that a nine-member cabinet will also assume charge alongside Vijay.
The development ends weeks of political uncertainty and intense negotiations following the Assembly election results. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly but fell short of the majority mark of 118.
After five days of hectic talks with alliance partners, TVK finally secured enough backing to form the government with support from the Congress party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League.
When the election results were declared last Monday, Vijay’s massive breakthrough stunned both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliances. Political observers described the result as the collapse of the bipolar Dravidian political order that had dominated Tamil Nadu for nearly six decades.
Although Vijay met the Governor on Wednesday to stake a claim to power, Raj Bhavan initially sought proof of majority support before clearing government formation. The process moved forward after VCK and IUML formally extended support to TVK.
Vijay’s rise from Tamil cinema superstar to Chief Minister within just two years of launching his party has now become one of the most dramatic political transformations in recent Tamil Nadu history.