Actor-turned-politician S Joseph Vijay has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu and immediately announced a major welfare package, including free electricity of up to 200 units for domestic users, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
According to The Tribune India, Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the largest party in the state assembly elections, securing enough support from allied groups to form the government.
After taking the oath, the new chief minister also signed executive orders to establish a special force for women’s safety and to strengthen anti-narcotics measures across the state.
In his first address at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Vijay said his government marked the beginning of a new era based on “true secularism and social justice.”
He thanked several parties, including Congress, VCK, IUML, and Left groups, for supporting his coalition in forming the government.
Vijay also expressed gratitude to Gen Z voters, saying young people played a key role in TVK’s victory by convincing their families to support the party.
He said he did not come from a political dynasty, but had experienced poverty and hardship closely, adding that while people once mocked him, they had now given him a place in their hearts.
“I am just like you, one among you. I am not an angel, I am an ordinary man,” he told supporters.
Reports said that the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League had earlier backed TVK in the elections, helping the alliance secure around 120 seats in the 234-member assembly.
The Indian National Congress also supported Vijay’s government, reportedly influenced in part by his long-standing ties with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, whom he first met in 2009 in New Delhi.