One great tide of post-apartheid Tamil Nadu politics began as Tamil Nadu declared the Tamil Nadu state’s new face of politics as actor-turned-politician Vijay took the oath as the state’s Chief Minister in a lavish oath-taking ceremony in Chennai.
Thousands who packed its gates watched what many felt was a “Thalapathy Era” in Tamil Nadu politics, or the opening of “Thalapathy era,” and hundreds of thousands of others who flocked across the city. Thousands of people poured into the venue, arriving hours before the swearing-in ceremony, party workers, movie fans and political supporters.
Pumping up to the ceremony field of the country where the election victory had been achieved, after the party's election results were delivered, an unusual majority of Vijay won the Assembly elections. In his customary white outfit, Vijay took the oath amongst cheers and chants from the crowd.
It drew several leaders, such as high-ranking politicians, film industry personalities, business elite and social justice activists. The ceremony quickly became one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant political moments in recent years. Vijay has watched a climb from cinema superstar to Chief Minister, and the trajectory of it has been closely scrutinised around the country.
His followers refer to him as “Thalapathy,” and throughout a campaign for the elections, the artist was able to win a sizeable electoral base on the basis of advocacy for welfare, education reform, anti-corruption messages and appeal to youth voters. His wide fan base helped turn his political movement into a statewide force.
“Vijay’s victory is a generational election watershed for Tamil Nadu politics, according to the analysts.” His campaign won a lot of support from first-time voters and young urban voters, who saw him as a new kind of political leader in the state. Shortly after assuming office, the new Chief Minister is anticipated to announce a series of welfare and development plans.
Labour creation, public education, health and infrastructure are expected to be the new and outstanding government areas of concern, party sources say. Fans also took to jubilation throughout Tamil Nadu, handing out sweets, bursting crackers and holding victory rallies in several districts.
Celebrities and fans, politicians and celebrities flooded social media with congratulatory messages on his major political milestone. With the oath-taking ceremony now over, all eyes are turned to the way Vijay will transition from one of Tamil cinema’s major public figures to one of the most powerful state-level administrators in an ever-growing region of India’s political heft.
