Tamil Nadu’s new chief minister, C Joseph Vijay, used his first remarks after being sworn in on Sunday to frame his government as a “new beginning” built on “real, secular, social justice.”
The ceremony in Chennai brought Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to the venue and highlighted the widening political conversation around Vijay’s rise and the possibility of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), playing a larger role in opposition alignments.
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Vijay memorised the entire oath and delivered it as if it was a single shot take in the Swearing ceremony pic.twitter.com/Kk4IOH4xxm
— Krish (@Krish_Opinions) May 10, 2026
The secular pitch is doing the heavy lifting again
According to Hindustan Times, the word “secular” has been central to Vijay’s political positioning since TVK was launched in February 2024.
The party’s founding ideology, unveiled at its first conference in Vikravandi in October 2024, was “Secular social justice, egalitarianism, and democracy.” TVK later described itself as Centre-Left.
At a Madurai conference in August 2025, Vijay had said, “Tamil Nadu is a secular land, and the people will not allow any space for divisive hate politics based on religion and caste.”
Congress’s written support to TVK was conditional on keeping “communal forces” out of the alliance.
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Thiru.C. Joseph Vijay, was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ,Thiru.Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Swearing in Ceremony held a
Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, greeted the newly sworn Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru.C. Joseph Vijay . pic.twitter.com/acU075D8qp— Rahul M (@RahulM17538442) May 10, 2026
Chennai’s power moment got a Rahul-sized glow-up
Rahul Gandhi flew from Delhi to Chennai for the swearing-in and posted on X that “Tamil Nadu has chosen a new generation, a new voice and a new imagination… My good wishes to Thiru Vijay — may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
There was visible warmth between the two leaders on stage, both seated prominently and speaking at length during the event.
Tamil Nadu has chosen.
A new generation. A new voice. A new imagination.
My good wishes to Thiru Vijay – may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/sp8FsMLBOb
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 10, 2026
Song order issue sparked instant political noise
The ceremony also drew criticism after a group of women sang “Vande Mataram” before the governor administered the oath, followed by the national anthem and then the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu.
DMK leader and former Union minister A Raja said the song’s use reflected a broader political intent, while CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said placing “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu” in the third position “goes against tradition” and urged the Tamil Nadu government to explain the error.
