New Delhi/Chennai, May 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated C. Joseph Vijay over the telephone after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief took oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
According to sources, the Prime Minister spoke to Vijay during the evening and extended his greetings and best wishes for a successful tenure as Chief Minister.
The telephonic conversation reportedly took place amid the Prime Minister’s ongoing tour of multiple states.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also posted a congratulatory message on social media platform X, wishing Vijay success in his new role and assuring cooperation between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government.
“Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of people,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s 13th Chief Minister during a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the presence of political leaders, supporters and dignitaries.
Nine ministers also took oath alongside Vijay as part of the first Cabinet of the TVK government.
The swearing-in marked a major political shift in Tamil Nadu, ending nearly six decades of alternating rule by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
The 51-year-old actor-turned-politician entered active politics only a year ago but led TVK to a massive electoral victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Soon after taking oath, Vijay unveiled a nine-member Cabinet reflecting a mix of political experience, administrative expertise, youth representation and strategic appointments.
Among the senior-most members inducted into the Cabinet is veteran politician K. A. Sengottaiyan, a ten-time legislator with more than five decades of political experience.
Sengottaiyan earlier served in several important portfolios under former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and later joined TVK after parting ways with AIADMK.
Another prominent face in the Cabinet is N. Anand, popularly known as “Bussy” Anand, considered one of Vijay’s closest political associates and a key organiser behind the party’s grassroots expansion.
TVK strategist Aadhav Arjuna was also inducted into the Cabinet. A former basketball player and President of the Basketball Federation of India, Arjuna played a significant role in strengthening the party’s organisational structure.
One of the most discussed appointments in the Cabinet is 29-year-old S. Keerthana, the first woman MLA elected from Sivakasi.
A former political consultant and digital strategist, her induction is being viewed as a strong message towards youth and women’s representation in governance.
Former IRS officer and doctor K. G. Arunraj also joined the Cabinet after resigning from government service to enter politics under Vijay’s leadership.
Other ministers inducted include R. Nirmal Kumar, who handled the party’s IT and social media operations, actor and television personality A. Rajmohan, senior advocate P. Venkataramanan and dentist-turned-politician K. T. Prabhu.
Political observers believe the composition of the Cabinet reflects Vijay’s attempt to project administrative capability, inclusiveness and generational change as the TVK government begins its first term in office.
