Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: TVK chief C Joseph Vijay on Sunday took oath as Tamil Nadu chief minister along with members of his new cabinet, as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam formally assumed power in the state after its landmark electoral victory on May 4.Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Vijay and his ministers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.TVK leaders P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan and TK Prabhu were among those sworn in as ministers in Vijay’s cabinet. Party leaders Aadhav Arjuna, KG Arunraj and KA Sengottaiyan also took oath and later shared a hug with Vijay during the ceremony, reflecting the celebratory mood within the party ranks.TVK leader S Keerthana also took oath as minister for the state of Tamil Nadu.The TVK wave, driven by superstar Vijay, stormed Tamil Nadu politics in its very first electoral attempt, dismantling the 50-year dominance of the traditional Dravidian giants, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.The May 4 verdict marked TVK’s dramatic rise in influence and political power, though the party fell short of securing a majority on its own. The Congress, along with several other parties, extended support to Vijay, paving the way for his ascent to the chief minister’s chair.
