Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Chandrasekhar C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday took oath as the thirteenth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu following the success of his debut elections.
The oath was administered by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar; LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Vijay’s parents and family, friends and supporters attended the ceremony at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Apart from Vijay, nine other TVK leaders, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KA Sengottaiyan, KG Arunraj, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, TK Prabhu and S Keerthana have taken oath.
Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Vijay welcomed and greeted Governor Arlekar to the venue. The TVK chief also introduced the governor to all the ministers-designate.
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11.00 am: Vijay signs his first three executive orders
Chief Minister Vijay signed his first three executive orders, announcing free electricity up to 200 units every two months, the creation of a special ‘Singappen’ rapid response force for women’s safety, and the setting up of anti-narcotics units across Tamil Nadu.
10.30 am: 9 other TVK leaders take oath
Apart from Vijay, nine other TVK leaders, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KA Sengottaiyan, KG Arunraj, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, TK Prabhu and S Keerthana take oath as ministers in Vijay’s maiden cabinet.
10.15 am: Governor administers oath of office to Vijay
TVK chief takes oath as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in a stadium packed with allies, supporters, friends and family.
In his address to those present, he thanks the people of Tamil Nadu for electing him to power, and promises transparent governance.
Vijay has become the first leader outside the DMK and AIADMK formations to head the Tamil Nadu government since 1967.
9.55 am: Governor arrives at swearing-in venue, Vijay receives him
Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar arrives at Nehru Stadium for the swearing in, Vijay receives him.
9.50 am: 9 TVK MLAs to take oath with Vijay
Nine TVK MLA-elects will take oath as cabinet ministers along with TVK chief Vijay, who will be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The list is a mixture of both youth and experience, which includes names of N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KA Sengottaiyan, KG Anuraj, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, TK Prabhu and S Keerthana.
9.00 am: Vijay arrives at swearing-in venue
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam President Vijay has arrived at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where he will take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, beginning a new era of state politics.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to start shortly amid heavy security. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has also arrived in Chennai to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Vijay’s father, film director SA Chandrasekhar expressed happiness over the occasion, stating that he would enjoy the moment when his son would take oath as the Tamil Nadu CM. “We are going to attend the function. I am going to enjoy that my son is going to take the oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” he told ANI.
Meanwhile, Vijay’s mother, Sobha said: “I am so happy. It is Mother’s Day today, I am very happy.”
Also Read: TN game of thrones: Cloud over Vijay oath-taking as IUML says it won’t back TVK, VCK still silent