Chennai: Actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister on May 9, ending nearly six decades of alternating rule by the DMK and AIADMK.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Vijay at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. Nine other ministers were also sworn in, ushering in a coalition government led by Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).
Soon after taking office, Vijay signed his first orders approving 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, the creation of a special force for women’s safety and the establishment of anti-drug trafficking units across the state.
In his maiden address, Vijay called his administration “a new beginning” and said it would be committed to “real secularism and social justice.”
He said there would be no power centres other than the chief minister.
Vijay thanked the Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Indian Union Muslim League and Left parties for supporting TVK in forming the government.
His swearing-in followed a hung Assembly election that ended the long-standing dominance of Tamil Nadu’s two principal Dravidian parties.
