The swearing-in ceremony followed days of high drama in the state capital Chennai, where Vijay's fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party initially struggled to secure support from smaller parties after state elections.

Vijay's TVK, founded only two years ago, emerged as the single largest party after the vote with 108 seats in Tamil Nadu's 234-member legislative assembly, short of a simple majority. However, it won support from other parties, including the opposition Congress, to take its number of seats to 120, making it possible for Vijay to claim the top job. Thousands of supporters gathered in Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, chanting "Mudhalvar", or "chief minister" in Tamil, to watch Vijay take his oath of office. "I am not from a royal political background, just a common man," the 51-year-old told the crowd. "My primary focus will be on basic issues such as education, ration supplies, healthcare, drinking water, roads and bus facilities," he said. Vijay's first set of policies included measures to ease electricity prices and improve women's safety. (Bssnews)