Newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay, used his first address in office to present himself as a leader from ordinary roots, promising a secular and socially just government while also making it clear that he alone would be the central authority in the new administration.
Speaking after taking the oath at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the 51-year-old actor-turned-politician said he did not come from a royal family and described himself as a common man accepted by the people. He told the public that he would not deceive them with false promises and asked for reasonable time to be judged by his performance.
In one of the strongest lines of his inaugural remarks, Vijay said there would be no other power center besides himself, signaling that even though his party has formed a coalition government, key decisions will remain under his control. The statement appeared aimed at projecting authority and assuring supporters that his administration would not be run under pressure from alliance partners.
Soon after the swearing-in, Vijay moved to the state secretariat and began work immediately. In his first official orders, he approved 200 units of free electricity for residential consumers and ordered the creation of a special force for women’s safety, two steps likely intended to signal a welfare-focused and security-conscious start to his administration.
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the largest force in the assembly but fell short of the number needed to govern on its own. After days of political negotiations, the party secured enough backing from the Indian National Congress and other parties to cross the majority mark and form a coalition government. The development has created a historic moment in Tamil Nadu politics, where such a coalition arrangement is a first.
The swearing-in ceremony drew major political figures, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while senior state leaders from the BJP were also present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay on social media and said the central government would work with the new state administration for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.
With a dramatic political rise, a message of centralized leadership, and immediate welfare measures, Vijay has begun his tenure by blending populist promises with an assertion of strong personal authority.