Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, who had dominated Kollywood for the past nearly 30 years. He made his debut as a lead actor in his father S.A. Chandrasekhar’s Naalaya Theerpu in 1992, after appearing as a child actor in Vetri in 1984. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in 68 films in lead roles, becoming the highest-paid actor in Tamil cinema. His 69th film Jana Nayagan is yet to be released.
Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremony LIVE updates
Mr. Vijay, who has been elected from Perambur and Tiruchi East, is entering the Assembly for the first time. In February 2024, he had transformed his fan association-cum-social service organisation – Vijay Makkal Iyakkam – into the political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The 51-year-old actor-politician had discontinued his Bachelor of Science course at Loyola College, Chennai, in 1992 to pursue a film career. Apart from acting, he serves as the correspondent of Vijay Vidyashram and managing director and trustee of several trusts.
On Sunday (May 10, 2026), nine ministers were sworn in along with him. Who are these Ministers?
N. Anand
N. Anand, known as ‘Bussy’ N. Anand, is the general secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and is the second-in-command after party president C. Joseph Vijay. Before taking up a key political role in TVK, he headed Mr. Vijay’s fan club and social service organisation – Vijay Makkal Iyakkam.
Mr. Anand, who has been elected from the T. Nagar Assembly constituency in Chennai, holds the distinction of being elected to legislative bodies in two different States/Union Territories. He was first elected to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly in 2006 from the Bussy constituency, from which he earned his popular sobriquet. He was elected as the nominee of Puducherry Munntra Congress.
A native of Puducherry, the 62-year-old leader studied up to Class IX in the Union Territory before entering public life. Over the years, he emerged as the closest associates of Mr. Vijay played a key organisational role candidate selection in TVK.
K.A. Sengottaiyan
K.A. Sengottaiyan, one of the senior-most legislators in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, is the chief coordinator of the high-level committee of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. A 10-time MLA, Mr. Sengottaiyan was first elected to the Assembly from Sathyamangalam in 1977 as the AIADMK candidate.
Barring the elections in 1996 and 2001, the 78-year-old leader won consecutively from the Gobichettipalayam Assembly constituency in Erode district from 1980 onwards. This is the first time he has been elected as a TVK candidate. A prominent AIADMK leader for decades, he also served as the campaign manager of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and was part of her first Cabinet between 1991 and 1996. In 2011, he briefly served again in Ms. Jayalalithaa’s Cabinet before being dropped, and later became the School Education Minister in the Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led government in 2017.
Before joining TVK in November 2025, Mr. Sengottaiyan had made efforts to reunite the AIADMK, though the attempts did not succeed.
Aadhav Arjuna
Aadhav Arjuna, elected from the Villivakkam Assembly constituency in Chennai, is entering the Assembly for the first time. A sports administrator and political consultant, he serves as the general secretary (election campaign management) of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Before joining TVK in January 2025, the 43-year-old leader played a key role as a political consultant for the DMK. He later joined the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi led by Thol. Thirumavalavan and rose to become the party’s deputy general secretary. While in the VCK he had raised the demand for a share in power, triggering a row, leading to his suspension from the party. He then parted ways to join Mr Vijay.
Mr. Arjuna, son-in-law of lottery businessman Santiago Martin, also runs the political consulting firm Voice of Commons. Apart from politics, he has been active in sports administration and currently serves as the president of the Basketball Federation of India and the Tamil Nadu Basketball Association. He is also the general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Olympic Association. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Madras Christian College.
K.G. Arunraj
K.G. Arunraj, an articulate leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, hails from Salem and has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Tiruchengode constituency. A former Indian Revenue Service officer, Dr. Arunraj currently serves as the general secretary (policy and propaganda) of the TVK.
The 46-year-old leader holds an MBBS degree from Madras Medical College. Before joining the Indian Revenue Service and serving in the Income Tax Department in various capacities, Dr. Arunraj worked as a doctor at a Primary Health Centre in Dharmapuri district.
C.T.R. Nirmalkumar
C.T.R. Nirmalkumar, elected from the Thirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Madurai, is the joint general secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and one of the party’s key spokespersons. He is entering the Assembly for the first time.
Before joining TVK in January 2025, the 44-year-old gad served as the State president of the Information Technology and Social Media Wing of the Tamil Nadu BJP until March 2023. He later joined the AIADMK, where he functioned as the joint secretary of the party’s Information Technology and Social Media Wing.
Hailing from Usilampatti in Madurai district, Mr. Nirmalkumar has an academic background spanning engineering, law and social sciences. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, an LL.B. degree, and a Master’s degree in Criminology and Police Administration.
A. Rajmohan
A. Rajmohan, elected from the Egmore (SC) Assembly constituency in Chennai, is entering the Assembly for the first time. A popular YouTuber, he began his career in the digital space by lending his voice to social causes and gradually gained recognition through appearances on several YouTube and television channels as a show host.
The 39-year-old is widely known for his Tamil oratory skills and public speaking. Hailing from Pallavaram, Mr. Rajmohan pursued higher education in management and journalism. He holds a Diploma in Business Management from IIT Madras and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Madurai Kamaraj University.
P. Venkataramanan
P. Venkataramanan, elected from the Mylapore Assembly constituency in Chennai, is the treasurer of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He is also one of the two candidates from the Brahmin community elected to the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly.
An advocate by profession, the 48-year-old leader has an academic background in commerce, business administration and law. He holds a Master of Commerce degree from Annamalai University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Periyar University, and an LL.M. degree from Annamalai University.
T.K. Prabhu
T.K. Prabhu, who hails from a family with political connections, has been elected from the Karaikudi Assembly constituency for the first time. A dentist by profession, Dr. Prabhu is also active on social media and has built a public profile through his outreach activities.
Hailing from Devakottai, the 41-year-old leader holds several qualifications in Dental Sciences, including advanced degrees and fellowships from institutions abroad.
S. Keerthana
One of the youngest MLAs in 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly, S. Keerthana, 29, is the first time legislator from Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district. Ms. Keerthana holds Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Madurai Kamaraj University and Masters in Statistics from Pondicherry Central University. She is conversant in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English.
