C. Joseph Vijay, president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 2026. He was sworn in on Sunday, May 10, 2026, ending almost six decades of alternating rule by the DMK and AIADMK. He replaced M. K. Stalin of the DMK, who had been in office before the 2026 election.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current CM | C. Joseph Vijay |
| Party | Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) |
| Sworn in | May 10, 2026 |
| Venue | Nehru Stadium, Chennai |
| Governor | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar |
| Government type | Coalition (TVK with Congress as a partner) |
| Predecessor | M. K. Stalin (DMK) |
| Constituency | Perambur |
How Vijay Became Chief Minister
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election did not give any party a clear majority. TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member House, short of the 118 needed to form a government. Days of negotiations followed. The deadlock broke on May 9. The VCK and IUML extended their support, taking TVK’s tally to 120, and Governor Arlekar appointed Vijay Chief Minister-designate. Vijay submitted support letters from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML. The Governor asked him to prove his majority in the Assembly on or before May 13.
Why This Is a Historic Moment
The first non-Dravidian-party government since 1967. Every Chief Minister from March 6, 1967 until May 9, 2026 came from either the DMK or the AIADMK. Vijay is the first TVK Chief Minister.
A film star becomes CM. Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of cinema figures in politics, including M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. Vijay’s move from cinema icon to the state’s top office drew huge public interest, and he was 51 at the time of the swearing-in.
The ninth Chief Minister. Vijay has been described as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a count that follows the state’s formal numbering of the office.
What Has Happened Since the Swearing-In
- Two seats, one retained. Vijay won both Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur, then resigned from Tiruchirappalli East and kept Perambur.
- Cabinet formed. Nine other ministers took the oath alongside him. Keerthana S was reported as the only woman minister in the initial cabinet.
- Meeting with the Prime Minister. On June 11, 2026, Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Who Was the CM of Tamil Nadu Before Vijay?
M. K. Stalin of the DMK was Chief Minister through the run-up to the 2026 election. He campaigned as the incumbent in the weeks before the April 2026 vote. Before Stalin, the office alternated between the DMK and AIADMK, with leaders such as J. Jayalalithaa, M. Karunanidhi, and Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
Recent Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu
| Chief Minister | Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C. Joseph Vijay | TVK | From May 10, 2026 |
| M. K. Stalin | DMK | Preceded Vijay |
| Edappadi K. Palaniswami | AIADMK | Preceded Stalin |
| J. Jayalalithaa | AIADMK | Served multiple terms |
| M. Karunanidhi | DMK | Served multiple terms |
How Is the Chief Minister Chosen?
Under Article 164 of the Constitution, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister, and the other ministers are appointed on the Chief Minister’s advice. In practice, the Governor invites the leader who can show majority support in the Assembly. That is why, in 2026, Vijay needed support letters from allied parties even though TVK was the single largest party.
What to Watch Next
- Coalition stability. TVK governs with outside and allied support, so floor management matters.
- Delivery on social justice. Vijay said a new era had begun in Tamil Nadu with a focus on social justice.
- Centre-state relations. The early meeting with the Prime Minister signals the tone of the relationship.
- By-election at Tiruchirappalli East, since Vijay vacated that seat.
FAQs
Who is the CM of Tamil Nadu in 2026?
C. Joseph Vijay of the TVK, sworn in on May 10, 2026.
Who was the CM of Tamil Nadu before Vijay?
M. K. Stalin of the DMK.
Is Vijay the first actor to become CM of Tamil Nadu?
No. M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, and others from the film world held the office earlier. What is new is that Vijay leads a party outside the DMK and AIADMK.
Which party does the Tamil Nadu CM belong to?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Does TVK have a majority on its own?
No. TVK won 108 seats against the 118 needed, so Vijay leads a coalition government with support from the Congress and other parties.
Who is the Governor of Tamil Nadu?
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath to the new Chief Minister.
When is the next Tamil Nadu Assembly election?
Assembly terms run five years, so the next general election is due in 2031, unless the government falls earlier.