Congratulatory messages pour in as TVK chief Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM

My good wishes to Thiru Vijay - may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also congratulated Vijay and said he is confident that under the TVK chiefs leadership, the ideals that have long defined the states political and social consciousness will continue to guide governance.

Leaders from across the political spectrum on Sunday congratulated TVK chief C Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the Centre will keep working with the state government to improve the lives of people. The Congress, which has extended support to the TVK, hailed the actor-turned-politician following his swearing-in ceremony, as party leader Rahul Gandhi said Tamil Nadu has chosen ''a new generation and a new voice''. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also extended congratulations to Vijay, highlighting the deep historical and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. In a social media post, Dissanayake said Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu are ''connected through history, culture, enterprise, and enduring people-to-people ties across generations''. Vijay was sworn-in as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday in a colourful ceremony, ushering in the first non-DMK, non-AIADMK government in the southern state in 60 years with promise of transparent governance and an assertion that he will be the sole power centre in the state. In his post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, ''Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of people.'' Congress leader Gandhi, who attended Vijay's swearing-in ceremony in Chennai, said on X, ''Tamil Nadu has chosen. A new generation. A new voice. A new imagination. My good wishes to Thiru Vijay - may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu.'' Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also congratulated Vijay and said he is confident that under the TVK chief's leadership, the ideals that have long defined the state's political and social consciousness will continue to guide governance. ''On the swearing-in of Thiru TVK Vijay as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to him, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party and the entire progressive alliance,'' Kharge said on X. The formation of this government reaffirms the enduring strength of self-respect, social justice, empowerment and rational thought, are values that have long defined Tamil Nadu's political and social consciousness, he said, adding this is the ''legacy shaped by Periyar and Kamrajar''. Other leaders, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee also congratulated Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu CM. Yadav wished Vijay ''purposeful and pro-people'' leadership. ''Only secular governments represent true democracy, founded on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens and a commitment to uphold and safeguard constitutional values,'' he said in a post on X. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister expressed hope that Tamil Nadu's newly formed secular government will build upon its predecessors' legacy of public welfare initiatives. Telangana Chief Minister Reddy said he strongly believes that Vijay as CM of Tamil Nadu, will deliver welfare for the poor, justice for all and take his state to greater heights in development. Banerjee, the former West Bengal chief minister, wished Vijay success and said the electoral verdict reflected the ''aspirations, trust and democratic will'' of the people of Tamil Nadu. In a post on X, the Trinamool Congress supremo said she was confident that Tamil Nadu would continue on the path of ''progress, welfare and inclusive development'' under Vijay's leadership. Outgoing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also congratulated Vijay on assuming office as the CM of Tamil Nadu and expressed hope that his government would uphold the values of social justice, secularism and public welfare. A Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Vijayan also highlighted the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and said the two southern states could work together to strengthen the federal system and protect secular principles. In his congratulatory message, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik, a former chief minister of Odisha, said he was hopeful that Tamil Nadu would reach new heights of development under Vijay's leadership. Meanwhile, celebrities, including Kamal Haasan and R Madhavan, also congratulated actor-politician Vijay as he became the Chief Minister, and called it a ''historic win''. Haasan shared a post on X as he extended his congratulatory wishes. ''May the state of Tamil Nadu shine under the leadership of the president of the Tamil Nadu Victory League, the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, my brother Thiru. Vijay @TVKVijayHQ. May it reach new heights. I convey my heartfelt congratulations,'' he wrote. Madhavan shared a picture of the actor on his Instagram handle and said he is proud of Vijay. Actor Sathyaraj uploaded a picture of Vijay on his X handle and added a lengthy note to congratulate him. ''This is not just political success, but the people's mandate for a new path and new hope for Tamil Nadu. @TVKVijayHQ,'' he said. Actor Prakash Raj wrote a post on X. ''Congratulations to Chief Minister Vijay. Wishing you the best to succeed in your new responsibility. May the state thrive in your governance too,'' he said. In his first address after taking oath, Vijay said he was not from any royal lineage and that people welcomed and accepted him. He also said that he will not deceive people with false promises. The TVK founder-chief was appointed as chief minister on Saturday by the governor after his party clinched key support to cross the magic 118 majority mark in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, ending days of uncertainty over government formation in the southern state.