CM Thalapathy
Vijay

The first Chief Minister of Madras State, P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja served briefly in 1952. A senior Congress leader, he laid the groundwork for the early democratic administration of the newly formed state before being succeeded by Rajagopalachari.

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was a lawyer, independence activist and close associate of Gandhi. As Chief Minister he shaped the early governance framework of Madras State. His educational policy ('Kula Kalvi Thittam') remains debated to this day.

Kumaraswami Kamaraj is remembered as the 'King Maker' of Indian politics. He served as CM for nine transformative years — expanding schools, building roads and electrifying villages. He sacrificed his CM post through the 'Kamaraj Plan' to serve the national party. Longest-serving CM of the Congress era.

Miniambalam Bhakthavatsalam was the last Congress Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. His government was defeated in 1967 by the DMK — ending 15 years of Congress rule. The defeat began a new political era in Tamil Nadu.

Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai, affectionately called 'Anna' (Elder Brother), founded the DMK and became Tamil Nadu's first non-Congress CM. He renamed Madras State as Tamil Nadu in 1969. He passed away in office — mourned by millions. A transformative figure in Tamil political history.

Vengalil Ramamurthy Nedunchezhiyan served as Acting Chief Minister briefly after the passing of Annadurai in February 1969, before Karunanidhi was sworn in. He was a trusted DMK leader and served as minister in multiple cabinets over several decades.

Muthuvel Karunanidhi — known as Kalaignar — was the longest-serving Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with approximately 19 years across four separate terms (1969–76, 1989–91, 1996–2001, 2006–11). A prolific Tamil writer, playwright and politician, he led DMK for over five decades until his passing in 2018.

Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran — MGR — was a beloved film actor who founded AIADMK and became one of Tamil Nadu's most popular CMs. He served for a decade and introduced the Noon Meal Scheme, a landmark welfare programme that fed millions of school children. He passed away in office in 1987.

Videkar Nageswari Janaki Ramachandran, widow of MGR, was sworn in as Chief Minister briefly in January 1988 after MGR's passing. Her government fell within weeks due to a floor test failure. She is one of the few women to have held the CM post in Tamil Nadu.

Jayaram Jayalalithaa — Amma — was AIADMK's iconic leader who served as CM across multiple terms (1991–96, 2001–06, 2011–16). One of Tamil Nadu's most powerful and influential CMs, she is remembered for welfare schemes including free colour TVs, mixers, grinders, fans and the Amma Canteen. She passed away in office in December 2016.

Ottakarathevar Panneerselvam served as caretaker CM three times — whenever Jayalalithaa stepped aside (once due to her conviction, twice after her passing). A loyalist figure within AIADMK, he later led a faction that split from the party. He supported the TVK government in the 2026 confidence vote.

Edappadi K. Palaniswami became Chief Minister in February 2017 after a period of political uncertainty within AIADMK following Jayalalithaa's passing. He served a full term until 2021 when DMK won the election. He led the opposition after 2021 and again in 2026 — but AIADMK fell to 47 seats as TVK swept 108.

Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, son of Kalaignar, led DMK to a decisive victory in 2021 and served as CM for five years. His government focused on industrialisation, welfare and Tamil identity. In 2026 he ran for re-election but DMK finished second with 59 seats as TVK emerged as the new dominant force.

C. Joseph Vijay — Thalapathy — founded TVK on 2 February 2024 and led it to a historic 108-seat victory in its very first election on 23 April 2026. Sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister on 10 May 2026, he broke the 60-year DMK–AIADMK alternation. His cabinet includes 35 ministers from TVK, Congress, VCK and IUML.