Governor intervenes as Tamil Nadu CM Vijay goes off-script during oath-taking ceremony

PTI, May 10, 2026, Chennai : TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday attempted to turn his oath-taking ceremony into a brief oath-speech by going off-script and making hand gestures, but Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar intervened and asked him to adhere to the official text.

Immediately after the Governor began administering the oath, Vijay departed from the written format and began stating: “I, C Joseph Vijay, will stay true to the legally established Constitution of India... as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I will work honestly and dedicatedly to fulfil my responsibilities. I will adhere to the rule of law, work with honesty, remove hate, and will work honestly for all sections of the people. This I swear on God and take the oath,” he said, raising his right hand and clenching his fist.

TVK MLA-elect A. Rajmohan, who was standing behind Vijay, clapped in jubilation, while party workers also erupted in cheer. Vijay’s parents — filmmaker S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shobha — present near the dais, were seen turning emotional.

The Governor then intervened and asked Vijay to read out the official oath from the paper provided. Vijay sought clarification and subsequently read the oath as written.

He later took the oath on God, and shortly after his ministers were sworn in, Vijay announced three welfare schemes related to electricity, women’s safety, and drug eradication at the stadium.