By: The Trek News Desk
Tamil Nadu entered a new political era on Sunday as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and president C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the State’s new Chief Minister. The development marks the end of nearly six decades of alternating political dominance between the DMK and the AIADMK.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Vijay during a grand ceremony held at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium at 10 a.m. Along with the new Chief Minister, nine other leaders also took the oath as ministers in the newly formed cabinet.
TVK secured the numbers required to form the government with support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML. Congress extended support through its five MLAs, while CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML each contributed two MLAs. With the backing of these alliance partners, the coalition reached the crucial figure of 120 legislators in the 234-member Assembly.
The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu had remained uncertain over the past few days, but the situation became clear after VCK and IUML officially announced their support on Saturday evening. Soon after, Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai and submitted letters of support from all allied parties.
Governor Arlekar has directed the new Chief Minister to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly before May 13. The confidence vote will be the first major test for the newly formed coalition government.
Vijay’s rise from cinema to the State’s top political post is being viewed as a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics. Political observers believe the emergence of TVK could reshape the State’s traditional political landscape, long dominated by the two major Dravidian parties.
The formation of the new coalition government is expected to bring fresh political equations and new expectations among voters across Tamil Nadu.
Source: News Agencies
