From oath at 10:10 AM on May 10 to the first Cabinet meeting on June 4 — every significant action, decision, milestone and first across 28 days of the TVK government. Day 1 free electricity and TASMAC closures. Day 4 floor test 144–22. Day 22 first women’s payment and Ajith condolence visit. Day 23 Trichy thanksgiving. Day 27 Vetri Tamizhagam 436 schemes.
CM C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in on May 10, 2026 and governed through 28 days of firsts — the first TVK cabinet, the first floor test, the first district visit, the first Delhi meeting. This is the complete record of what happened, day by day.
At exactly 10:10 AM at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to C. Joseph Vijay — making him the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The number of ministers sworn in on Day 1 was 11 (Phase 1 cabinet). Among them: N. Anand (Rural Development), Aadhav Arjuna (Sports & PWD), Sengottaiyan (Higher Education), R. Nirmal Kumar (Energy), A. Rajmohan (School Education), Keerthana (Industries). National leaders in attendance: Rahul Gandhi, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Sharad Pawar, Arvind Kejriwal. Within hours of oath: 200 units free electricity per month ordered. 717 TASMAC outlets near temples, schools and bus stands ordered closed. A Governance Order was issued restricting single-use plastics in government offices.
The 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly held its first sitting on Day 3. J. C. D. Prabhakar (TVK, Villivakkam) was elected the 15th Speaker. M. Ravisankar was elected Deputy Speaker. The Governor addressed the joint sitting. The portfolios were notified and ministerial charges formally issued. On Day 2, Vijay had already begun departmental briefings at the Secretariat.
The TVK government passed the constitutional floor test with 144 votes in favour, 22 against and 5 abstentions — a 28-seat majority over the 116-seat threshold. The result confirmed the government with a strong legislative mandate. The DMK's 70 MLAs voted against along with 2 BJP members and allies.
| Side | Votes | Parties |
|---|---|---|
| Ayes (Government) | 144 | TVK 107 + Congress 5 + VCK 2 + IUML 2 + CPI(M) 2 + CPI 2 + Others 24 |
| Noes (Opposition) | 22 | DMK 70 (many were absent) + 2 BJP + 2 AIADMK dissenters |
| Abstentions | 5 | AIADMK (official position) |
Ministers formally assumed charge of their departments. Vijay's 100-day agenda was circulated to all departments. Review meetings with each ministry began. The 100-day targets included: dissolving 717 TASMAC outlets, issuing a White Paper on state finances, beginning the ₹2,500 women's monthly assistance scheme, and filling 1.2 lakh government vacancies.
Vijay held a landmark meeting with Tamil film industry representatives — his first sector-specific consultation as CM. Key decisions: 5 shows per day permitted for new releases (up from the previous 4); first-week extra-show permissions eased; entertainment tax issues discussed. The meeting signalled Vijay's intent to maintain his ties to the industry he came from, even as CM.
These were working days of departmental review and file clearance — no major public events. The administration of Tamil Nadu's 38 districts, 234 constituencies, 126 universities, and multi-lakh-crore budget was being handed over systematically. Senior IAS officers confirmed Vijay read files closely and frequently asked follow-up questions in review meetings.
The cabinet expanded significantly with 23 new ministers sworn in at Raj Bhavan. Total council of ministers: 35. Most significant addition: Congress and VCK ministers joined the cabinet — making Tamil Nadu the first state in recent history to have Congress back in a state cabinet after 59 years. IUML also joined with representation. The full expanded cabinet was now representative of the entire TVK+ coalition.
Vijay chaired a high-level finance review and directed officials to prepare a White Paper exposing Tamil Nadu's debt position under the previous DMK government. The White Paper — eventually released in July — would reveal ₹13.18 lakh crore in total state liabilities, forming the foundation for Vijay's fiscal transparency narrative.
With Tamil Nadu in the grip of a heat emergency, Vijay reviewed school reopening dates. The School Education Department sought his approval on timing. Schools were ultimately permitted to reopen with protective measures — an early example of Vijay's direct intervention in administrative decisions that affected children's welfare.
Vijay made his first official visit to New Delhi as Chief Minister on Day 18, meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A memorandum was submitted covering:
| Demand | Context |
|---|---|
| Opposition to Mekedatu dam project | Karnataka's proposed dam would reduce Cauvery flows to TN |
| Tamil Thai Vazhthu as National Song | Long-standing TN demand for recognition of the Tamil anthem |
| NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu | Medical entrance policy — TN's most fought campaign |
| Fishermen protection from Sri Lanka Navy | Ongoing arrest of TN fishermen in the Palk Strait |
| Pending central funds release | Disaster relief and scheme disbursements |
The meeting was described as cordial despite TVK's opposition to BJP nationally. Vijay presented himself as a state CM seeking inter-governmental cooperation rather than a political rival.
On Day 21, actor Ajith Kumar's mother Mohini Mani passed away. Vijay immediately issued a public condolence message. On Day 22, he personally visited Ajith Kumar's residence in Chennai to pay respects — becoming one of the most discussed human moments of his early tenure. Former rivals in cinema, now sharing a grief moment. On the same Day 22, the first instalment of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (₹1,000 monthly women's assistance) was released to 10 lakh women — Vijay's most visible welfare promise, fulfilled within 22 days of taking office.
Vijay's first official district visit as CM took him back to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) — the constituency where he won the election. He arrived by chartered flight, conducted a roadshow from the airport through the constituency, and addressed a Thanksgiving Meeting at St. Joseph's College ground. The crowd was massive. He announced the launch of the Singappen Special Force (SSF) — an elite all-women police unit for crimes against women. The Trichy visit was both political (honouring his first voters) and administrative (district-level review).
Three days of internal meetings preparing for the landmark first Cabinet meeting. Every minister submitted their department's 100-day targets for review. The Vetri Tamizhagam Vision Document — a comprehensive governance framework — was being finalised.
The first Cabinet meeting of the Vijay government at the Secretariat formally approved the Vetri Tamizhagam Vision Document — a 436-scheme governance framework built on 10 pillars and 54 sub-pillars.
| Pillar | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Economy & Industrial Growth |
| 2 | Agriculture & Farmer Welfare |
| 3 | Education & Youth Empowerment |
| 4 | Health & Wellness |
| 5 | Women's Welfare & Dignity |
| 6 | Infrastructure & Urban Development |
| 7 | Environment & Clean Energy |
| 8 | Governance & Transparency |
| 9 | Social Justice & Inclusion |
| 10 | Cultural Identity & Tamil Language |
| Promise | Status at Day 28 |
|---|---|
| 200 units free electricity | ✅ Ordered Day 1 |
| 717 TASMAC outlets near religious/educational sites closed | ✅ Ordered Day 1 |
| ₹1,000 monthly women's assistance (Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai) | ✅ First instalment released Day 22 |
| Floor test won | ✅ 144–22, Day 4 |
| Phase 2 cabinet expansion | ✅ Day 12 — 35 total ministers |
| White Paper on state finances | ✅ Directed Day 13 (released July) |
| First Modi meeting | ✅ Day 18 |
| First district visit | ✅ Day 23 — Tiruchirappalli |
| First Cabinet meeting | ✅ Day 27 — 436 schemes launched |
| 5 shows/day for Tamil films | ✅ Day 7 |
First 28 Days Day 1 to Day 28 May 10 to June 5 TVK Government