Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which had struggled to meet the majority number, formed the government today. Its president, C. Joseph Vijay, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday (May 10, 2026). It has virtually put an end to almost six decades of alternating rule by the State’s two dominant Dravidian parties — DMK and AIADMK — and is the first coalition government in the annals of Tamil Nadu legislative history.
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday (May 9, 2026) appointed Mr Vijay Chief Minister-designate after he secured the support of 120 MLAs-elect in the 234-member House.
Vijay took the oath at Nehru Stadium in Chennai at 10 a.m. on Sunday (May 10, 2026). Nine other Ministers, including some senior TVK leaders, were also sworn in. Joseph Vijay will head a coalition government with Congress as a partner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay after he took oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
“Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will continue working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of the people,” PM Modi writes on X.
Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of people.@TVKVijayHQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2026
Since May 4, when the votes were counted, TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but could not meet the halfway mark of 118 in the 234-member House. Vijay has won from two places. He has to resign from one place, either Tiruchi or Perambur. The second seat will become crucial during a tie-breaker situation, as the Speaker votes only in such circumstances. The party needed nearly ten more seats to meet the mark.
Vijay, a novice in politics and legislative Assembly procedures, staked claim to form the government not as the single largest party but as a coalition with five seats from Congress. The Governor required written proof of support crossing the halfway mark. There were hectic talks and hard parleys with DMK allies such as the Left parties, VCK, IUML and even AIADMK. Their back-channel efforts did not materialise till Friday evening.
Amid rumours that the DMK would extend outside support to an AIADMK government in order to preserve the ecosystem that existed during their rule and continue the Dravidian identity, efforts were also made to prevent Vijay and Congress — whom DMK allegedly considers traitors — from gaining a strong foothold in power.
The Left parties extended their support on May 8, while the VCK reportedly demanded the Deputy Chief Minister’s post for Thirumavalavan along with a key portfolio. He met DMK chief Stalin in between and held a Zoom meeting with his party leaders before submitting the support letter at the last minute on Sunday evening.
Following this, after reaching the support of 120 members, Vijay again staked claim to form the government. The Governor, who was scheduled to travel to Kerala, cancelled his trip.
IUML also lent its support after allegedly receiving assurances that its members would be accommodated in Kerala, where Congress is forming the government.
They are reportedly extending only outside support, fearing that a breakaway AIADMK MLA group or the full AIADMK might otherwise extend support and thereby keep the new government under pressure to follow their diktats.
The Governor has also directed Vijay to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13. The nail-biting political uncertainty that prevailed over the last few days ended on Saturday (May 9) evening, when the VCK and IUML extended their support, taking TVK’s tally to 120. Later, Vijay called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai and handed over letters of support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML.
As directed by the Governor, the swearing-in ceremony took place at Nehru Stadium at 10 a.m. today.
Along with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, nine MLAs were sworn in as Ministers for the State of Tamil Nadu. They are N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Dr K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, Dr T.K. Prabhu and Selvi S. Keerthana.
There was high drama on Friday night. T.T. Dhinakaran, after submitting his lone MLA’s support to AIADMK, complained to the Governor that the MLA was missing. Later, the MLA surfaced and met the Governor.
Meanwhile, former DMK Minister Periyakaruppan, who lost by a margin of one vote, has moved the Madras High Court with an emergency petition.
BREAKING:
Madras High Court to hold a special Sunday sitting to hear DMK leader KR Periakaruppan’s plea after he lost to TVK candidate by just one vote.
He has sought an interim injunction restraining the TVK MLA from participating in any legislative process pending disposal of… pic.twitter.com/Trcjijx0X4— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) May 9, 2026
The Madras High Court is holding a special Sunday to hear DMK leader K.R. Periyakaruppan’s plea after he lost to a TVK candidate by just one vote. He has sought an interim injunction restraining the TVK MLA from participating in any legislative process pending disposal of the writ petition.
As of May 10, 2026, LED screens have been installed at 23 prominent locations across Chennai for the live telecast of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-elect Vijay.
In another development in neighbouring Puducherry, the President appointed N. Rangasamy as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry with effect from the date he was sworn in.
President appoints N Rangasamy as the CM of the Union Territory of Puducherry with effect from the date he is sworn in. pic.twitter.com/3jSTzlqXWh
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) May 9, 2026
On Friday, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Puducherry, N. Rangasamy, met Lieutenant Governor Kuniyil Kailasanathan and staked claim to form the government in the Union Territory days after emerging victorious in the recently held Assembly polls. He presented a letter of support from the legislators demanding the right to form the government. It was subsequently sent for the President’s approval. The NDA successfully retained power, with NR Congress winning 12 seats and BJP four in the 30-member Puducherry Assembly. AIADMK won one seat.
