Chennai: Having been finally sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s first non-Dravidian chief minister in six decades, after days of political drama and uncertainty, C Joseph Vijay got down to business on Sunday.
Tamil cinema’s superstar-turned-politician didn’t waste much time after taking oath at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, and drove to the State secretariat where he was welcomed with a Guard of Honour.
#WATCH | Chennai: Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and TVK Chief C Joseph Vijay receives Guard of Honour at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat. pic.twitter.com/jscQHlUl6K
— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2026
Thalapathy Vijay, who succeeded M K Stalin as chief minister, signed a series of files that are meant to address and fulfil his party’s key poll promises.
The first file he signed was the rollout of 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, India Today reported. Another order approved the creation of a special force dedicated to women’s safety. The new CM also put his signature to a proposal to set up an anti-drug unit in every district.
However, Vijay’s most significant announcement was directed at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the party which was in power immediately before TVK won the election on May 4.
Vijay stated that a white paper on the state’s finances for the 2021-2026 period will be released.
Explaining that move, Vijay said: “The DMK government has left us with a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore. I want to tell you all how much debt the previous government has left, the burden they have left on me.”
In his first public address since the results of Assembly polls were announced six days ago, Vijay promised to provide a transparent administration and vowed to fulfil every promise his party made in its manifesto.
“I will try to fulfil all my promises if you give me the opportunity and the support,” Vijay said amid thunderous applause from the audience at the oath-taking ceremony.
He took a swipe at the AIADMK, which was reportedly exploring the possibility of forming a government with external support from decades-long rival DMK.
“We will carry out our responsibilities transparently and not behind closed doors.”
Vijay sought to allay concerns over the stability of the government, which has been formed with the support of 12 MLAs from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML – taking the coalition’s strength to 120, just two more than the required majority mark.
Vijay stressed there would be no multiple power centres, and that he would be the sole authority in the administration.
He struck a conciliatory note, promising to take even his detractors along in Tamil Nadu’s development journey.
“Even those who criticised and humiliated me are my people,” he said.
Addressing his GenZ and Millennial supporters, Vijay emphasised that he would do everything for them.
“You are my life. To my young nanba and nanbis, Vijay mama will do everything good for you,” he said. Vijay’s are commonly referred to as ‘Nanba’ (male friend) and ‘Nanbi’ (female friend), the Tamil term for friend.
He made it a point to acknowledge the hard work of his cadres, who worked for two years to help the new party gain power on its election debut.
“Without you (cadres) I’d be nothing. My dear virtual warriors and to everyone, thanks a lot,” Vijay said.
