Vijay got 108 seats!
Remarkable its a highly spiritual number. The maala that we keep to do the ” japas” to connect the self with the divine has 108 beads. This was a symbolic indication by the Lord almighty that Vijay is here to rule. Vijay’s father is a Christian and his mother is a Hindu. He has maintained a secular approach. Respecting all religions. He has often visited Shirdi Sai baba Temple. Vijay says every religion is equal and that he stands with Hindus, Muslims, and all communities alike. During recent campaign events, the TVK chief reportedly visited temples, mosques, and churches promoting unity and inclusiveness. Vijay never had any problem wearing the Muslim scull cap which many Chief Minister avoid to wear thinking they will lose their vote bank. We see through this two types of thoughts exists in our country one that is rigid and the other that is flexible. The results in two southern states Kerela and Tamil Nadu indicates that the people are willing to coexist peacefully.
In a moment that could redefine the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay on Sunday took oath as the new Chief Minister, ending nearly six decades of uninterrupted dominance by the DMK and AIADMK in the southern state.
The oath-taking ceremony at the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium turned into a massive public spectacle as thousands of supporters erupted in celebration, waving party flags and chanting “Thalapathy! Thalapathy!” while Vijay walked onto the stage to assume office. The rise of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) from a newly launched political outfit to the ruling party within just two years is being described by political observers as one of the most dramatic political transformations in contemporary Indian politics.
At 51, Vijay becomes the first leader outside the traditional Dravidian giants — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam — to capture power in Tamil Nadu in almost 60 years. The emotional ceremony witnessed the presence of Vijay’s parents — filmmaker S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shobha Chandrasekhar — alongside senior political leaders, film personalities and thousands of party workers. Among those present were actor Trisha Krishnan and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the growing national attention surrounding Vijay’s political ascent. Nine senior TVK leaders were sworn in as cabinet ministers along with Vijay, reflecting a blend of youth, technocrats, former bureaucrats and experienced politicians.
From Silver Screen Superstar To Chief Minister
For millions of fans, Vijay’s elevation from cinema icon to Chief Minister represents the culmination of a journey decades in the making.
Born on June 22, 1974, in Chennai, Vijay first appeared as a child artiste in the 1984 film Vetri, directed by his father. He made his debut as a lead actor in Naalaiya Theerpu in 1992 and steadily emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest superstars. Vijay has a huge fan following. They worked as his volunteers. The social messages on Instagram by kids who watch cartoon networks went viral and they were like shells from multi barrel rocket launchers and they went across all platforms. The DMK could not plan any iron dome to counter it.
The title “Thalapathy” became inseparable from his public identity after the promotional campaign of the 1994 film Rasigan, where he was introduced as “Ilaya Thalapathy” — the Young Commander. Over the next three decades, Vijay built an extraordinary cinematic career with blockbuster films such as Thuppakki, Kaththi, Mersal, Bigil and Leo. But unlike many film stars who flirted with politics, Vijay took the decisive plunge. In 2024, he officially launched TVK, announcing his exit from cinema and dedicating himself fully to public life.
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The Coalition Drama Behind The Victory
The road to power, however, was anything but easy.
In the recently concluded Assembly elections, TVK stunned political analysts by winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly — an extraordinary debut for a party contesting its first major election. Yet the tally fell short of the crucial majority mark of 118. What followed was a high-stakes political negotiation that kept Tamil Nadu on edge for days.
Five days of wait and four meeting with the Governor.
Vijay held marathon rounds of discussions with multiple parties and met Governor R. N. Ravi several times to stake claim to form the government. Support first came from the Congress, followed by backing from the Left parties — Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist). But the defining breakthrough came when DMK allies — Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League — extended unconditional support to the TVK-led coalition, pushing the alliance strength to 120 MLAs. Late Saturday evening, Vijay rushed to the Raj Bhavan with letters of support and after a crucial meeting lasting nearly an hour, the Governor invited him to form the government.
Vijay’s rise is already being called a political earthquake in Tamil Nadu.
For decades, the state’s politics revolved around the legacy of towering Dravidian leaders such as M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa. Now, a new generation has propelled a cinema superstar into the state’s top office through a mix of mass appeal, welfare promises and anti-establishment sentiment. Supporters believe Vijay represents a generational shift in Tamil Nadu politics — youthful, media-savvy and emotionally connected to the masses through cinema and grassroots mobilisation. Critics, however, say the real challenge begins now.
The actor who ruled the box office must now govern one of India’s most politically conscious and economically significant states — balancing coalition compulsions, governance expectations and soaring public hopes. As fireworks lit up Chennai’s skyline on Sunday night, one message echoed across Tamil Nadu: The “Thalapathy” era has officially begun. This development is not only watched in India but are keenly seen across the globe. The social media is very strong and today all eyes are set to the developments in South Asia.
Ministers in Vijay’s cabinet are:
N ANAND was the president of Vijay’s fan club association even before the actor launched his party. N Anand brought key logistical expertise when he eventually began building TVK. Anand became the party’s inaugural General Secretary and still continues in that role.
Anand has also emerged as one of the party’s prominent spokespersons. Ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, he publicly declared that TVK’s leader would become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. In the 2026 Assembly polls, he contested from the Thiyagarayanagar constituency in Chennai — a seat historically dominated by the DMK and AIADMK — and defeated DMK candidate Raja Anbazhagan by securing 51,632 votes.
AADHAV ARJUNA former national-level basketball player is a political strategist, philanthropist and sports administrator from Tamil Nadu. In the last elections, he was associated with MK Stalin and played a key role in the DMK’s victory.
He was elected MLA from the Villivakkam Assembly constituency in Chennai in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. Within Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, he serves as the General Secretary for Election Campaign Management, making him the highest-ranking party functionary after party president Vijay and General Secretary N Anand. He is also the President of the Basketball Federation of India.
S KEERTHANA comes from Tamil Nadu’s fireworks hub, 29-year-old S Keerthana, the newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA from the constituency, was sworn in today as the youngest minister in the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Vijay.
Fluent in Hindi, Keerthana has been deeply involved in grassroots political work and also worked as a political consultant, playing a role in the party’s election strategy. She holds a BSc in Mathematics and an MSc in Statistics. For workers in the fireworks industry, Keerthana has promised regular health check-ups, given the hazardous nature of working with chemicals, along with equal pay for women.
Dr KG Arunraj is a physician and former Indian Revenue Service officer from Tamil Nadu. He serves as the General Secretary for Policy and Propaganda of TVK and was elected as the MLA from the Tiruchengodu assembly constituency in Namakkal district in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
A prominent Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader, Dr TK Prabhu is an Indian dentist who won from the Karaikudi Assembly constituency.